2-Year-Old Boy Killed While Pumpkin-Picking with Family 

New Jersey family’s excitement over a fall outing turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a 2-year-old boy was struck and killed by an SUV while holding his grandmother’s hand in a farm parking lot.

Little James Gabriel, affectionately known as “Jimmy James,” had just arrived at Bullock Farms in Cream Ridge with his family for a day of pumpkin picking when the devastating accident occurred.

His father was only a short distance away, carrying James’ 4-month-old baby sister, when he turned around and witnessed the aftermath of the crash.

What was supposed to be a day filled with pumpkins, family photographs and happy memories ended in heartbreak.

The accident happened shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, in a parking lot shared by Bullock Farms and Screamin’ Hill Brewery in Upper Freehold Township, approximately 50 miles south of New York City.

According to New Jersey State Police, a Chrysler SUV was backing out of a parking space when it struck James and his 66-year-old grandmother, Ellen Gabriel.

The toddler had been walking hand in hand with his grandmother when the vehicle hit them.

James’ father, Robert Gabriel, was just ahead of them with his infant daughter, Evelyn, when the accident unfolded.

He later recalled the horrifying moment he looked back and saw his mother trapped beneath the SUV.

Robert feared that she had been killed.

“She could have easily been killed,” he told NJ.com, explaining that his mother was fortunate to have survived.

Ellen was rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries that authorities initially described as serious. Her family later said she was recovering and had escaped with relatively minor injuries considering the circumstances.

James, however, suffered catastrophic injuries.

Emergency responders rushed to help the little boy, and he was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Despite efforts to save him, James died from injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

His sudden death has devastated a family that had been looking forward to spending the weekend together.

Robert said the plan was simple: take the children pumpkin picking, enjoy the fall activities and return home to watch football.

“We were going there to have a good day. Pumpkin picking and then coming back to my house and watching football,” the grieving father said.

Instead, the family experienced a loss he described as unimaginable.

“It was supposed to be a beautiful weekend,” Robert said. “It was not supposed to be the absolute devastation that it was.”

He remembered his son as a happy, healthy little boy whose life was just beginning.

James had recently become a big brother following the birth of his baby sister, Evelyn, just four months earlier.

His parents had been looking forward to watching their children grow up together, sharing birthdays, holidays and family adventures.

Now, they are facing a future they never imagined.

James’ mother, Meiling Gabriel, shared an emotional tribute describing the little boy’s curiosity and his ability to find excitement in everyday moments.

He loved trucks, cars and airplanes, often becoming fascinated by things adults might barely notice.

Whether it was an airplane flying overhead, a yellow school bus passing by or a car driving down the street, James would stop and marvel at the sight.

His mother explained that those ordinary experiences became extraordinary through her son’s eyes.

“The ordinary things that adults might pass by without noticing — a plane high above, a yellow school bus on the road, a car driving past — were exciting discoveries to James,” she wrote.

His enthusiasm reminded the family to appreciate life’s smallest moments.

James also enjoyed playing with toy trucks, exploring the world around him and spending time with the people he loved.

His family described him as affectionate, adventurous and full of personality.

According to his obituary, James brought extraordinary happiness to everyone around him during his short life.

He was remembered for his bright smile, infectious laughter and loving nature.

“James was truly the light of our world,” his family wrote, describing a little boy whose personality seemed much bigger than his age.

His parents also spoke about the countless dreams they had for their son.

They had imagined watching him start school, make friends, develop new interests and eventually grow into adulthood.

Instead, those hopes were shattered in a matter of seconds.

“As his parents, we had a lifetime of plans for James,” they wrote.

The tragedy has also shaken the surrounding community.

Bullock Farms, a popular fall destination known for pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes and family activities, issued a public statement expressing condolences.

The farm described the incident as a terrible tragedy and said its staff was heartbroken by the family’s loss.

Both Bullock Farms and Screamin’ Hill Brewery temporarily closed following the accident.

The farm, which has been operated by the Bullock family for generations, normally welcomes visitors throughout the fall season for pumpkin picking and other autumn activities.

Families travel to the property to enjoy its scenic fields, farm animals and seasonal attractions.

But on October 3, the parking lot became the scene of a fatal accident before the Gabriel family had even begun their planned activities.

Upper Freehold Township Mayor Stan Moslowski Jr. also expressed sorrow over the child’s death, saying it was difficult to comprehend how a family outing could end so tragically.

New Jersey State Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Authorities have confirmed that the SUV was reversing when it struck the two pedestrians, but investigators have not publicly established whether driver error, visibility issues or other factors contributed.

As of October 9, police had not announced criminal charges against the driver.

The driver’s identity has also not been publicly released.

Investigators will examine the available evidence to determine exactly how the accident occurred and whether any violations contributed to the collision.

Parking lots can present particular dangers for young children because drivers backing out of spaces may have limited visibility, especially when pedestrians are close to the rear of a vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that children are especially vulnerable in backing crashes because their small size can make them difficult for drivers to see.

Safety experts recommend that drivers check their surroundings carefully before reversing and remain alert for pedestrians, particularly in busy family destinations.

However, police have not determined whether any specific safety precaution was overlooked in this case.

Meanwhile, friends, neighbors and community members have rallied around the Gabriel family.

A GoFundMe campaign established in James’ memory has attracted donations and messages of sympathy from people moved by the heartbreaking story.

The family is preparing to say goodbye to James during funeral services in New Jersey.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 9, at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in Freehold Township, followed by a funeral Mass on Saturday at the Church of St. Gabriel in Marlboro.

For Robert and Meiling Gabriel, the loss is impossible to put into words.

Their little boy had only recently celebrated his second birthday and was beginning to discover the world around him.

His father said life will never be the same without him.