"Route 29 Batman," the quirky 51-year-old who would would visit sick children in the hospital donning his Batman gear, has died in a car accident.
Batman, whose real name is Lenny B. Robinson, was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 70 on Sunday night near Hagerstown, Maryland, The Washington Post reported. He was on his way home from a car show when his vehicle broke down. '
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Robinson rose to Internet fame after police pulled him over in 2012 in his black Lamborgini dressed head to toe in a Batman outfit.
According to a police report, Robinson's vehicle -- the Batmobile -- was parked "partially in the fast lane," and he was checking its engine while standing in the eastbound fast lane. A Toyota Camry struck Robinson's car, which then struck Robinson. The driver of the Camry was uninjured and Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The accident is still an ongoing investigation. No charges have currently been filed.
Robinson worked closely with Hope for Henry, an organization that tries to bring happiness to children suffering from cancer and life-threatening blood conditions. Its founder, Laurie Strongin, told Mashable, "His superpower is one of healing and happiness and he just makes the kids so happy."
Strongin started the organization after her son lost his battle with cancer at age seven.
"He makes the kids forget that they’re sick and in the hospital.With him, it’s like they’re normal kids in the presence of a hero." said Strongin. "He talks like Batman and autographs gifts he gives the kids as Batman."
Robinson was a self-made businessman who sold his commercial cleaning business, which he started as a teenager. He began visiting hospitals dressed as Batman in 2001, where he quickly became well-known by local hospitals in desperate need of a positive experience for sick children.
“Eventually, it sinks in and you become him,” Robinson told the Post during an interview in 2012. “It feels like I have a responsibility that’s beyond a normal person. And that responsibility is to be there for the kids, to be strong for them, and to make them smile as much as I can.”
This story was updated on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, 3:50 p.m. ET
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