@kritiper. On GM cars (and most oteres) the steering column will lock only if you are TWO clicks back from the run position. One click back “just” turns off the engine by cutting ignition and fuel delivery. It is precisely what you would feel if you suddenly had an engine failure like a stall.
When my sons were learning to drive I had them practice that in the school parking lot.
I wanted them to understand and be prepared if their engine ever cut out suddenly. With a modicum of practice they learned to not panic and try to slam the car in park or turn the key to the LOCK position and wrap themselves around a pole. We even did it on the highway, straight as an arrow no traffic anywhere is sight. Get up to speed. Put on your flashers; Slip the car into Neutral; Turn off the ignition and continue to coast and stop on the side of the road. They could do it easily.
One son went on to earn his private pilots license (VFR, IFR) One of the many maneuvers they learn and test is a stall. In another test the instructor turn off the engine and he must restart it. Those are scary but once you know you can handle it, you know.