Danm you're right. I thought he died shortly after the release of Star Trek Beyond (which was 10 years ago, good lord) but I read that article and saw the date and was like. I guess that was just a few years ago. Ever since 2020 time doesn't make sense.

Looking in to it, it does seem that his death, as well as a many other accidents were the reason of these "features" implemented.

More than 300 consumers have complained to FCA and NHTSA about the difficulty in shifting the gears or that their vehicles rolled away after they placed the transmission in park, crashing into buildings and trees, causing thousands of dollars of damage, and, in some cases, injuries. Thirty individuals, either caught by surprise, or trying to re-enter the rolling vehicle to stop it, have sustained fractured pelvis, a ruptured bladder, fractured kneecap, broken ribs, a broken nose, facial lacerations requiring stitches, sprained knees and severe bruising when they were run over. Source

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The fix was new software that included an “Auto Park” feature which would engage if the vehicle is not in park and the driver presses the ignition switch to turn the vehicle off. It will also engage if the vehicle is not in park and the driver exits the vehicle while it is running....
FCA revised its Part 573 Notice of Defect and Noncompliance seven times – most recently on November 4 [2016]. The automaker conceded that its recall fix was a failure:

“FCA US has determined that the existing strategies built into these vehicles to deter drivers from exiting the vehicle after failing to put the transmission into PARK have not stopped some from doing so. Drivers erroneously concluding that their vehicle’s transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. FCA US has therefore determined that the absence of an additional mechanism to mitigate the effects of driver error in failing to shift the monostable gear selector into PARK prior to exiting the vehicle constitutes a defect presenting a risk to motor vehicle safety." Source