'Baltimore Batman' Fatally Struck By Car On I-70
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- A real life superhero who put smiles on countless little faces, Maryland's own Batman was killed Sunday in a tragic accident.
Jessica Kartalija reports for those who had the chance to meet him, Lenny Robinson was a phenomenal person.
As Batman, Robinson loved bringing smiles to little faces. He would arrive in his Batmobile to visit children in the hospital.
"They are constantly fighting for their lives. This helps them," he said. "That's what it's all about."
In the end, it was his own creation that killed him. The 51-year-old died Sunday when his Batmobile Lamborghini broke down along I-70.
"I still can't believe it. He is such an amazing person who meant so much to everyone here. It just makes no sense and it's just impossible," said Marilyn Richardson. "Devastating to all of us."
Robinson paid countless visits to patients at Sinai's Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics.
"That was a huge honor. He loved Sinai Hospital; he loved our patients," Richardson said.
He started his own cleaning business while still in high school. Years later, he would buy the costume and car and transform into Batman---the favorite superhero of his three children.
"Even though they are his immediate family, we are a family here and he was a part of that family," said Rachael Foote. "He was such a big part of it."
Foote is a RAIO patient.
"He talks to all of the kids individually and gives them words of encouragement," Foote said.
Robinson became a viral sensation three years ago when he was pulled over in Silver Spring by Montgomery County police in full super hero costume. He was on his way to a children's hospital and had forgotten to take off his Batman tags.
Robinson called it good press for area hospitals.
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"You should always give back to people when you can, because even the littlest things you do to help others can make a huge difference in the life of someone else," Foote said.
Like the time he visited Elizabeth Gardner at her school for a walk to stop bullying.
His memory is still alive inside everyone he touched.
"We are very blessed and thankful to have known him and to have had him for the time that we did and to have such a close relationship and we just feel completely blessed," Richardson said.
Police are still investigating the crash.
Click here to view pictures of Baltimore's Batman.
His funeral is Wednesday at noon at Har Sinai in Owings Mills. Contributions can be made to Superheroes For Kids.
Superheroes for Kids
c/o Marilyn Richardson (RIAO)
Sinai Hospital
2401 W. Belvedere Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
