A drunk driver who crashed his pickup truck into a billboard outside of Chase received a $2,000 fine and an 18-month driving suspension.

Blake McKibbon pleaded guilty in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday to charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm and causing an accident. He has a history of driving and criminal offences with numerous convictions and prohibitions.

RCMP responded to a single vehicle accident at 5 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2009. McKibbon was the driver. Two passengers, a male and a female, were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extracted by emergency responders. All three were treated in hospital for their injuries.

Empty and unopened liquor bottles were found in the vehicle. A blood sample taken from McKibbon indicated he was over the limit.

Crown prosecutor Katie Bouchard told the court that the Crown was unable to serve the passengers with court subpoenas, which created difficulties with the case.

Justice Sandra Hyslop accepted a joint submission on sentencing from the Crown and defence.