The parents of Australian Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins have spoken out following her tragic death.
Hoskins died over the weekend after being hit by a car outside her home near the city of Adelaide Saturday night. She was 32.
In a statement from Hoskins’ family on Sunday, via AusCycling, the family expressed its grief over her passing.
“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing. Myself, Amanda, Jess and families, are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened,” her parents wrote.
They continued, “Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.”
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Furthermore, Hoskins’ parents remembered her for being “the rock” of her children’s lives and theirs.
“We need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched,” they shared.
Hoskins’ parents also said, “The outpouring of sadness and support has overwhelmed us. In her short life Melissa has had so many positive touch points in and around the world.”
On Sunday, Vox Women Cycling remembered Hoskins in a post on Instagram.
“Melissa Dennis née Hoskins, our friend and a champion bike rider,” the post reads. “An Olympian and Team Pursuit World Champion, she also took several medals at various Track World Championship events, as well as on the road. You will be missed by us all.”
The post concluded, “Rest in peace.”
On Sunday, Australian broadcaster ABC reported Hoskins’ husband and professional cyclist, Rohan Dennis, 33, “was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life” after he struck Hoskins with his car on Saturday just after 8 p.m, via a news release from the South Australian police.
SA police revealed she was taken to the hospital by emergency services after suffering serious injuries. However, Hoskins died overnight.
Dennis was released on bail and is expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 13.
The couple has two children.
