(USA Today) Maryland bid goodbye to a superhero, when Leonard B. Robinson, the "Route 29 Batman," was struck in a fatal car accident Sunday.
Robinson's "Batmobile," a custom Lamborghini, broke down on Interstate 70 near Hagerstown. Robinson, often dressed up as the Dark Knight and visited area hospitals to visit sick children. He was on his way home from a car show when the accident occurred.
The details of Robinson's accident paint a picture of a tragedy: The Batmobile was experiencing engine troubles, so the 51-year-old Maryland native pulled over. His car was still partially in the eastbound passing lane when it was struck by a Toyota Camry, slamming Robinson's car into him. The Camry's driver was uninjured. Robinson was pronounced dead on scene. No charges have been filed, and Maryland State Police are continuing to investigate the crash.
Robinson burst into the national limelight in 2012, when he was pulled over by the police on U.S 29 near Silver Spring, Md. The police dash cam displayed a humorous exchange as Robinson explained to police that his vehicle tags were inside his vehicle. A simple license plate would not do for the Batmobile; it was outfitted with a bat symbol.
Robinson often handed out books and toys to children and gave them the opportunity to meet their favorite superhero. He worked closely with Washington, D.C., charity,Hope for Henry, which seeks to bring hope and joy to hospitalized kids around the district. Robinson, affectionately known to Hope for Henry's directors as "Lenny," appeared at dozens of their event, dressed in full costume as the DC Comics character.
"Lenny really was Batman," Laurie Strongin, executive director of Hope for Henry, told USA TODAY Network. "He put so much care into being Batman. He was always in character, he talked to the kids like Batman. He provided kids with so much hope and he shared our mission to make these kids happy and whole. He's such a hero because of how he lived his life."
According to Strongin, Robinson made his living running a successful building-cleaning business. He was inspired to become the Batman through memories of playing with his young son and seeing the joy that the character brought him as a child.
Strongin also emphasized Robinson's generosity. Out of all the things he could have done with his money, she added, he chose to use it to make children happy.
"He made kids forget they were sick, Strongin said. "His heart was filled with love."
