This story was updated at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 24, 2012.

Police have identified a Temple Hills woman who died after being struck by and trapped under a Prince George’s County Public Schools maintenance van Monday morning.

Bernette Tucker Butler, 48, who lived a block from Samuel Chase Elementary School, was walking across the school’s parking lot when the maintenance van backed into her as she walked behind the van, police said.

Cpl. Larry Johnson, a county police spokesman, said Tuesday that although the investigation is ongoing, they “believe it was accidental, that the driver just didn’t see her.”

Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, said emergency personnel responded at about 11:15 a.m. to the report of a struck pedestrian at the school, in the 5700 block of Fisher Road.

When they arrived, they found Butler trapped under the vehicle, not breathing and with no pulse.

Students were not in county schools Monday, which was a professional-development day for faculty.

Brady said the department used inflatable canvas “air bags” to lift the van and extract the woman, but were unable to resuscitate her. Butler, who lived in the 5900 block of Moritz Drive, was not affiliated with the school, Brady said.

No number was listed for her family.

Prince George’s County police are investigating the incident, and said neither alcohol nor speed appear to be a factor in the incident.

Samuel Chase Elementary’s principal, Marie Jackson, was not available for comment.

Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said in a statement he has “sincere and heartfelt sympathy” for the victim and her family.

“We are working closely with the Prince George’s County Police Department to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Hite said.

ewagner@gazette.net