James Dabin Gabriel died on Oct. 3 after being struck alongside his grandmother, who was injured in the crash

NEED TO KNOW

• 2-year-old James Dabin Gabriel was visiting a New Jersey farm with his family when he was struck and killed in the farm’s parking lot
• His grandmother was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment, while he died in the collision on Oct. 3 in Upper Freehold Township, N.J.
• James’ family launched a fundraiser for memorial costs and said they plan to pursue legal action

A 2-year-old boy was struck and killed in the parking lot of an N.J. farm after arriving for a day of pumpkin picking with his family.

James Gabriel died on Oct. 3, NJ.com reported, citing New Jersey State Police, after a crash at 11:07 a.m. on Emleys Hills Road, in the parking lot of Bullock Farms and Screamin’ Hill brewery in Cream Ridge, N.J., part of Upper Freehold Township.

Both James and his grandmother Ellen Gabriel, a resident of Roselle Park, N.J., were allegedly hit as a driver in a Chrysler SUV backed out of a parking space.

Ellen was transported to Jersey Shore Medical for emergency medical treatment, per the outlet. The driver has not yet been publicly identified, and it is unclear if criminal charges have been filed in connection with the crash as the investigation continues.

Employees at Bullock Farms were offered counseling resources after the fatal incident, according to the outlet.

PEOPLE has reached out to NJ State Police.

“Everybody’s devastated,” James’ father, Robert Gabriel, told NJ.com. “He was as healthy as could be. He was as happy as could be. We were going there to have a good day. Pumpkin picking and then coming back to my house and watching football.”

James’ obituary described the toddler as having a “beautiful smile that could brighten any room and a personality much 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,” the obituary reads. “Though his time with us was far too short, the love he gave and the happiness he brought into our lives will last forever. His memory will remain with us for many lifetimes.”

He was also a “cherished big brother” to his little sister, Evelyn.

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Upper Freehold Mayor Stanley Moslowski said in a statement to NJ.com that the community is “heartbroken” by James’ death.

“We obviously never had anything like that happen in our town,” Moslowski said, per the outlet. “You go out to have a happy day with young kids, and it turns into a tragedy.”

James’ family has started a GoFundMe to fund James’ memorial services.

“He was our beautiful little boy—curious, energetic, playful, affectionate, and so deeply loved,” the GoFundMe description reads. “James loved the cartoon show Bluey, trucks, cars, and planes.”

The description also adds that he loved to help his Dad with “projects around the house,” and “eating Mom’s homemade dumplings.”

“James had only four short months with his baby sister, but he was already a loving big brother,” the description notes of his baby sister Evelyn, who, he shared a birthday with, two years apart.

“Donations will help with James’s funeral and memorial expenses, time away from work so our family can grieve and be together, legal expenses associated with this tragedy, and other unexpected financial burdens,” the description notes. “Any remaining funds will help us find a meaningful way to honor James and keep his memory alive.”

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