DJ TNT dies in wrong-way collision on I-95 near Baltimore

Timothy Summerville Jr., a 47-year-old musician known locally as DJ TNT, died early Saturday morning in a traffic accident in Elkridge, Howard County. The crash occurred on Interstate 95, a major artery connecting the Baltimore metropolitan area to the rest of the region.

Police investigators report that the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision was traveling in the wrong direction. Authorities are currently examining whether the driver was speeding and under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains active.

Hundreds of friends, family members, and community residents filled Melba's Place in north Baltimore to honor Summerville. The venue is a location where Summerville regularly performed on Monday nights. Attendees gathered to celebrate his life and discuss his impact on the local culture.

Sharron Turner, Summerville's cousin, welcomed the large crowd. "I am very happy that everyone is here, showing so much love because he deserves it," Turner said. She noted that the gathering demonstrated the depth of affection Summerville had cultivated over his years in the community.

Summerville was more than a performer. He worked with young people in Baltimore schools, teaching mathematics through music. He served as an instructor at the San Francisco Community Center, where he used musical concepts to help students connect with academic material.

Kendrick Tilghman, a friend and business partner, described how he encouraged Summerville to apply his musical skills to education. "I told him: 'Hey, help me with this. You have a lot of spark with the young ones, you are witty. You know how to communicate very well. You just have to calculate the beats per minute and make sure they add up so the kids like math,'" Tilghman recalled. Tilghman said Summerville accepted the challenge and carried it out successfully.

Marques Dent, another friend and business partner, highlighted Summerville's role in student success. "He made sure the children stayed in school, he made sure the children made their dreams come true," Dent said. Dent added that Summerville guided students toward careers, college, and entrepreneurship, allowing them to succeed in their own ways.

Friends described Summerville as a sociable person with a wonderful spirit. Soul, a friend, noted that Summerville had a musical selection for every occasion, from country music to Bat Mitzvahs and weddings. "He understood music and he understood people," Soul said.

Tilghman urged attendees to remember Summerville as a bright person who would want everyone to enjoy and celebrate rather than mourn. When asked what DJ TNT would say if he could see the show of love, Soul replied with Summerville's signature phrase: "He would say: 'GUAUUUUUUUU, let's go!'

The investigation into the wrong-way collision continues as police gather evidence. Friends and family have gathered in the days following the crash to share memories and support one another during this time of loss.