Batman impersonator dies in US 'Batmobile' crash

Tue, 18 Aug, 2015 - 00:13

A man known for dressing as Batman to visit children in hospital has died in a crash on a US road after his Batmobile had engine trouble.

Police say 51-year-old Leonard Robinson of Maryland was checking the engine of his Batmobile while standing in the fast lane of an interstate highway on Sunday when the car was hit by a Toyota Camry.

The Camry’s driver was not injured.

Leonard Robinson performs at SummerFest in South Charleston, W.Va. The Maryland man who delighted thousands of children by impersonating Batman at hospitals and charity events died when he was hit by a car while standing in the fast lane of Interstate 70, checking the engine of his custom-made Batmobile, police said Monday, Aug. 17, 2015.

Mr Robinson was known for travelling in costume to hospitals in the Baltimore-Washington area and gained national attention in 2012 when dashcam video surfaced of police pulling him over as he drove his Batmobile.

The Washington Post reported in 2012 that Robinson spent more than 25,000 dollars (£16,000) of his own money on Batman-related items every year, including toys, T-shirts and books he gave away to children.