Police: Driver of Stolen Van Struck Pedestrian

A Tennessee man is facing multiple charges after a pedestrian reported getting hit by a van. 

According to the Paducah Police Department, the incident happened about 6:30 am Saturday at the intersection of Court Avenue and Jennifer Lynn Drive. Officers say 68-year-old James G. Cates called for help, saying he was walking when the vehicle struck him. Cates told police the man offered to call 911 but then attempted to drive away. Cates said he struggled with the driver and eventually threw the van's keys into a yard. He said the man threatened to shoot him, but ran away instead. 

Police say they found the driver, identified as 43-year-old Robert Thomas Aitken of Nashville, on Buckner Lane, but he continued to flee. Police say he was belligerent and threatened to shoot officers until he was finally subdued with a Taser. 

Aitken was arrested and taken to McCracken County Jail. Police say in spite of his threats, they could not find a gun on Aitken or in the van. Investigation revealed the van was reported stolen from Tennessee. 

Aitken was charged with second-degree assault, receiving stolen property valued at $10,000 or more, third-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. 

Cates was taken to Baptist Health Paducah for treatment of injuries he received in the incident.