TRAGEDY: Batman dies in car crash
International Media Report
An American man famed for dressing up as Batman and visiting sick children in hospital has died after he was hit by a car in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Police said Leonard Robinson’s car had broken down in the fast lane of a major highway when the incident occurred, the BBC is reporting.
He was struck by his own “Batmobile” after another car careered into it.
Robinson, 55, rose to fame in 2012, when a video went viral of him being pulled over by police because his car had invalid number plates.
Known as the “Route 29 Batman”, Robinson had spent the last 14 years visiting sick children in hospital and handing out Batman paraphernalia in full superhero dress.
According to the Washington Post, he sold his commercial cleaning business to help fund his “Batmobile” – a black Lamborghini.
The paper said he spent more than $25,000 (£16,000) of his own money on Batman toys, T-shirts and books to give to children.
Robinson was never charged in the 2012 incident that thrust him into the public spotlight, telling police he was on his way to cheer up children at a cancer ward in a nearby hospital.
A number of people have paid tribute to him on Twitter, including the Bowie Baysox – a minor league Baseball team in Maryland – which said: “The Baysox offer heartfelt condolences to Lenny Robinson’s family. He appeared as Batman at the Baysox several times.”
Police say the crash is under investigation, but no charges have been filed.
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