The roads and highways are covered with dead squirrels here in Maine, many more than in previous years. They are suicidal running across roads. I had one person break ahead of me to avoid a squirrel. Myself, no breaking, have hit one and missed many others.
Same here in CT. Mentioned to the wife that there seems to be a whole lot more dead squirrels on the road.
I know they can’t hear it but I will yell “don’t do it” because just like you I won’t brake either.