The "Route 29 Batman" dies after car breaks down
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Authorities say a man known for visiting hospitalized children dressed as Batman died in a crash on a western Maryland highway after his Batmobile had engine trouble.
Police say 51-year-old Leonard "Lenny B." Robinson of Owings Mills was checking the engine of his Batmobile while standing in the fast lane of eastbound I-70 Sunday night when the car with hit by a Toyota Camry.
The driver of the Camry wasn't injured.
The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. near the unincorporated community of Big Pool.
Robinson was known for traveling in costume to hospitals in the Baltimore-Washington area and gained national attention in 2012 when dashcam video surfaced of police pulling him over on Route 29 while he was driving his Batmobile, which at the time was a silver Lamborghini.
The Washington Post reported in 2012 that Robinson, who earned a fortune in the cleaning business, spent more than $25,000 of his own money on Batman-related items every year, including toys, T-shirts and books he gave away to kids. Sometimes he would visit hospitals with his teenage son playing Robin.
In 2012, Robinson changed Batmobiles, reports CBS Baltimore. He originally drove a silver Lamborghini that resembled something Batman-like, but he said he wanted to upgrade to the original car shown in the 1960s TV show.
Robinson said he felt lucky to be able to give back to sick kids.
"They're constantly fighting for their lives, and if this helps them then that's what it's all about," Robinson said.