Batman is Dead, Toyota is the villain!

In news that would be almost comical if it was not so tragic, Batman is dead after his Batmobile broke down along a highway in Maryland, USA, and he was struck by a passing motorist.

The Batman we are referring to is Lenny B Robinson, a 51-year-old native of Maryland who became known the Maryland Batman after his roadside encounter with the Police went viral about three years ago, making him an overnight sensation.

Lenny drove a custom-made Batmobile (Lamborghini) dressed as the “Caped Crusader” from “Gotham City” to visit sick children in hospitals. He was on the way home from a show in West Virginia on Sunday night and was struck by a car on Interstate 70 near Hagerstown after the Batmobile broke down.

Lenny had just stopped at a gas station, where he met a family whose children were interested in his custom-made car, Maryland State police in Hagerstown said. Robinson gave the kids some superhero paraphernalia before leaving about the same time as his new acquaintances. When they saw him pull over, they did the same and witnessed the 10:30pm accident, state police said.

According to police report, he was having engine trouble and stopped "partially in the fast lane" and was checking the engine when the Batmobile was struck by a Toyota Camry. The unfortunate superhero was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lenny, who lived outside of Baltimore, had hit it rich in the cleaning business, making enough money to buy his own Batmobile, a costume that seemed more real than the one in the movies, and toys and memorabilia that he handed out to children with cancer at hospitals all over Maryland and the District.

He worked closely with Hope for Henry, a Washington organisation that helps sick children. Founded by Laurie Strongin and Allen Goldberg after their son Henry died from a rare disease, the group threw superhero parties in hospitals. Batman was always the star. "He made so many kids so happy," Strongin said. "When I asked him to do anything, he always said yes."

According to Strongin, Batman made those kids smile. They all thought he was Batman, a hero. Of his fame, Lenny, much like the character he played, was modest, “I am just doing it for the kids” he once said.

image: polygon.com