Boy, 2, Killed During Family Pumpkin-Picking Trip as Father Recalls Horrifying Moment He Turned Around

James Gabriel, 2, was walking with his grandmother, Ellen Gabriel, 66, in the parking lot of Bullock Farms in Upper Freehold Township on Saturday morning when they were both hit by a Chrysler SUV

A New Jersey family’s eagerly anticipated autumn outing ended in unimaginable tragedy when a 2-year-old boy was fatally struck by a reversing SUV while walking hand in hand with his grandmother. His devastated parents have now shared heartbreaking details about their son’s final day, including the future they had imagined for him and his baby sister.

A Happy Family Outing Ends in Devastation

James’s devastated parents, Robert and Meiling, said they had just arrived at the farm when their son was killed

For Robert and Meiling Gabriel, Saturday was supposed to be a day filled with simple family pleasures. They had taken their young children to Bullock Farms in Upper Freehold Township, New Jersey, to pick pumpkins before returning home to watch football.

Their 2-year-old son, James Gabriel, was walking through the farm’s parking lot alongside his grandmother, Ellen Gabriel, 66, when tragedy struck.

A Chrysler SUV reversing through the parking area hit both James and his grandmother shortly after the family arrived.

Robert had been walking ahead with his infant daughter, Evelyn, and did not see the driver before the collision. When he turned around, he was confronted with the horrifying sight of his mother trapped beneath the vehicle, with her head visible under the car.

James was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center, but despite efforts to save him, the little boy died from his injuries.

Ellen survived the collision and was taken to hospital. According to the family, she suffered relatively minor injuries and was recovering.

Robert later struggled to describe how quickly an ordinary day had become a nightmare. His son had been healthy, cheerful and excited about life, and the family had expected nothing more than a pleasant weekend together.

Instead, they were left facing a loss that would permanently change their lives.

Parents Share Heartbreaking Memories of Their Little Boy

The family set up an online fundraising campaign for funeral and memorial expenses

In the days following James’ death, his parents began sharing memories of the child they affectionately called Jimmy James.

His mother, Meiling, described an intelligent, energetic little boy whose enthusiasm brought happiness to everyone around him.

James loved watching the children’s television series Bluey and enjoyed accompanying his father on everyday errands. His family remembered his lively personality and the joy he found in spending time with those closest to him.

For Robert and Meiling, even the most ordinary moments had become precious memories.

The couple had imagined watching their son grow older, celebrating birthdays, seeing him develop new interests and sharing countless family experiences.

Those plans disappeared in an instant.

In an online fundraising appeal established to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, Meiling reflected on the painful reality of having to say goodbye to a child whose life had barely begun.

Rather than preparing for the milestones ahead, the family was now making arrangements to honour his memory.

Robert also spoke about the overwhelming emptiness left by his son’s death, acknowledging that their family life would never be the same.

A Particularly Painful Loss for His Baby Sister

The police are investigating the incident and have not yet revealed the details of the driver or whether they will face any charges

Among the most heartbreaking details shared by the family was James’ relationship with his younger sister, Evelyn.

The baby girl was born in May 2026, sharing the same birthday as her older brother.

For their parents, the coincidence had been a special connection between the two children, one they expected to celebrate together throughout their lives.

During Evelyn’s first months, the family had begun imagining all the experiences she and James would share as they grew up.

They anticipated years of playing together, celebrating birthdays and creating memories as brother and sister.

Now, Evelyn will grow up without the chance to experience that future alongside him.

Meiling explained that her daughter would instead come to know James through family stories, photographs, videos and the memories preserved by those who loved him.

It is a particularly painful aspect of the tragedy for the couple, who had expected the children’s first months together to mark the beginning of a lifelong relationship.

Their grief extends beyond losing their son to losing the future they had imagined for both of their children.

Farm Closes as Community Struggles With the Tragedy

The fatal collision also left the surrounding community deeply shaken.

Bullock Farms and the neighbouring Screamin’ Hill Brewery remained closed on Sunday following the incident, according to an announcement on the farm’s Facebook page.

Upper Freehold Township Mayor Stanley Moslowski expressed his condolences to the Gabriel family, describing the tragedy as an exceptionally distressing event for the community.

He reflected on how a family outing intended to bring happiness to young children had instead ended in a devastating loss.

The mayor also confirmed that workers at the farm had been offered access to counselling resources following the incident.

As news of James’ death spread, people began contributing to the family’s online fundraising campaign.

By the time of the report, donations had reached $18,144, providing financial support toward funeral and memorial costs.

For the grieving family, the response offered a measure of community support during an extraordinarily difficult time, although nothing could replace the little boy they had lost.

Police Continue Investigating the Fatal Parking Lot Collision

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash at Bullock Farms.

Police have confirmed that James and his grandmother were struck by a reversing Chrysler SUV in the parking lot, but the driver’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.

Investigators have also not announced whether any criminal charges will be filed.

The exact circumstances leading to the collision remain under examination, and authorities have not made a public determination of responsibility.

For Robert and Meiling Gabriel, the investigation continues as they face the painful task of rebuilding their lives without their son.

James had arrived at the farm with his family for what should have been a joyful autumn tradition. Within moments, an ordinary parking lot became the scene of a tragedy that devastated his parents, grandmother and the wider community.

His family now hopes to preserve the memory of the happy, curious little boy who loved Bluey, enjoyed helping his father and shared a birthday with the baby sister who will grow up hearing stories about him.

What was meant to be a weekend of pumpkins and family memories has instead become a heartbreaking reminder of how suddenly an ordinary day can change forever.