“HE WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD — FAMILY’S HAPPY PUMPKIN-PICKING TRIP ENDS IN UNIMAGINABLE HEARTBREAK”

James Dabin Gabriel, affectionately known as “Jimmy James,” was visiting a New Jersey farm with his family when a tragic parking-lot collision took his life. His parents are now remembering the little boy whose laughter and curiosity filled their world with joy.

What was supposed to be a happy autumn outing became a tragedy no family should ever have to face.

James Dabin Gabriel was just 2 years old when he died after being struck by an SUV in the parking lot of Bullock Farms and Screamin’ Hill Brewery in Cream Ridge, New Jersey, on October 3, 2026.

The toddler had arrived with his family for a day of pumpkin picking. Instead, the outing ended with James losing his life and his grandmother, Ellen Gabriel, being taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to reports citing New Jersey State Police, the collision happened at approximately 11:07 a.m. as a Chrysler SUV was backing out of a parking space. James and his grandmother were both struck.

The driver has not been publicly identified in the reports reviewed, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced a final determination about the circumstances of the crash.

“WE WERE GOING THERE TO HAVE A GOOD DAY”

James’ father, Robert Gabriel, described the devastating shock of losing his son during what had been planned as a family day together.

“Everybody’s devastated,” he told NJ.com. He remembered James as a happy, healthy little boy and said the family had expected to enjoy pumpkin picking before returning home to watch football.

Robert had been walking ahead with his infant daughter, Evelyn, when the collision occurred. The family’s ordinary plans for the day were suddenly replaced by an unimaginable loss.

For James’ parents, the heartbreak is not only about the future their son will never experience. It is also about the everyday moments that made him such a treasured part of their lives.

A LITTLE BOY WHO FOUND MAGIC IN EVERYDAY THINGS

In a heartfelt tribute, James’ family described him as curious, energetic, playful and affectionate.

He loved the children’s cartoon Bluey, as well as trucks, cars and planes. Ordinary sights that adults might overlook could fill him with excitement. He enjoyed helping his father with projects around the house, building forts from pillows and blankets, eating his mother’s homemade dumplings and spending time with his grandparents.

His family remembered his beautiful smile and a personality that seemed far bigger than his little two-year-old body.

“James brought immeasurable joy, laughter, and love into the lives of his family from the moment he entered the world,” his obituary stated. <Cite refs={[“turn350944search0″,”turn350944search10”]} />

FOUR MONTHS WITH HIS BABY SISTER

James had recently become a big brother to his baby sister, Evelyn. The siblings shared the same birthday, exactly two years apart, a detail his family described as a special connection they would always cherish.

They had imagined years of shared birthdays, family holidays, childhood adventures and countless ordinary