SINGAPORE, April 19 -- A momentary mistake behind the wheel has ended in heartbreak after a driver accidentally killed two friends he had known for more than half a century when he pressed the wrong pedal as his car rolled backwards.

According to a report by The Straits Times, 86-year-old Phua Chiew Tong was fined the maximum S$10,000 (RM31,000) today after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention, causing the deaths of Ng Lian Khew and Chan Wing Chai.

The retiree was also disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for eight years.

Court documents revealed that since 2013, Phua had regularly driven his two friends - aged 76 and 83 - on trips to Johor Bahru for food and groceries, underscorin...