It is the parking brake. if undamaged apply blue Loctite to the 1/4-20 x 1 shoulder screw and reinstall, torquing to 80-120 lb-in [9-14 Nm].
Hydro Gear PN
View attachment 65572
As the none starting problem it should not be causing that issue itself but there can cause damage to brake plate assembly which has the parking brake safety switch attached. Probably just not in alignment due the connecting rod out of place since it only held by the connecting rods and the brake cable. A very flimsy design.