A two-year-old New Jersey boy, James Gabriel, died last Saturday morning after being struck by a reversing SUV in a farm parking lot. The tragic incident occurred at Bullock Farms in Upper Freehold Township, where James was with his family for a pumpkin-picking outing. His grandmother, Ellen Gabriel, 66, was also hit by the vehicle but sustained minor injuries.
"It was not supposed to be the absolute devastation that it was." Robert Gabriel, Father
The Gabriel family, including parents Robert and Meiling Gabriel, had just arrived at the farm when the accident unfolded. According to Robert Gabriel, he was walking ahead with the couple's six-month-old daughter, Evelyn, when the SUV struck James and Ellen behind him. Upon turning around, he witnessed his mother beneath the vehicle. James was immediately airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center but tragically succumbed to his injuries. Ellen Gabriel was also transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries and is currently recovering. Robert Gabriel noted his mother’s fortune in surviving the impact, stating, "She could have been easily killed. She’s lucky."
The family had planned a joyful day of pumpkin picking followed by watching football at home. Robert Gabriel expressed the profound shock and sorrow, remarking, "It was supposed to be a beautiful weekend. It was not supposed to be the absolute devastation that it was." He described his son as a healthy, happy, and excited child looking forward to the day's activities.
Meiling Gabriel shared the depth of their loss in a message announcing an online fundraiser established to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. "As his parents, we had a lifetime of plans for James," she wrote, adding, "Instead, we are now faced with something no parent should ever have to do: saying goodbye to our little boy." She lovingly remembered James as a cheerful and intelligent child who enjoyed watching the animated series "Bluey" and assisting his father with errands. "He was truly the light of our world," she stated.
The loss is particularly poignant as James had recently become a big brother. His younger sister, Evelyn, was born in May, coincidentally on James's own birthday. Meiling Gabriel reflected on the bond they had hoped for between their children: "We thought those four months were only the beginning of a lifetime they would share together. Now Evelyn will grow up knowing her big brother through our stories, photographs, videos, and memories." Robert Gabriel affirmed that their lives would be irrevocably altered, stating, "It’s never going to be the same without him."
The community has responded with an outpouring of support, with the online fundraiser quickly surpassing $18,000 at the time of the report. In the immediate aftermath, Bullock Farms and the adjacent Screamin’ Hill brewery remained closed on Sunday. Upper Freehold Mayor Stanley Moslowski conveyed the community’s devastation over the incident. "We obviously never had anything like that happen in our town," Mayor Moslowski told the Daily Mail. "You go out to have a happy day with young kids, and it turns into a tragedy." He also confirmed that counseling resources are being made available to the farm's employees.
Police are continuing their investigation into the crash. As of the current report, authorities have not released the identity of the driver involved nor have they announced whether any charges will be filed. For the Gabriel family, what began as a simple autumn outing transformed into an unimaginable and heartbreaking loss of their two-year-old son.
