Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and industry pioneer Darryl Hensley, 79, known as "The Mad Hatter", died after colliding with a car while riding his bike as part of the Bike Burlington Dinner Ride on Wednesday, Sept. 27, KBUR reports.
Hensley was riding southbound on Carman Road in rural Henderson County Illinois shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday when he allegedly turned in front of a car. According to police reports, Hensley was killed instantly. The driver of the vehicle that struck him was also taken to an area hospital after complaining of chest pain.
Nearly everyone knew Hensley as "Hatter," short for "The Mad Hatter," which was the disc jockey's on-air persona.
"It started as his on-air persona, and then it became... it fit. It became him. He's always been Hatter to this community. Mad was his first name, and Hatter is what we called him," said Jon Billups, a co-worker and longtime family friend.
Crash Date: Sept 27th 2017