Maryland’s new Mega Millions millionaire celebrates his Lottery luck in the Winner’s Circle. |
Home builder claims Mega Millions second-tier prize
A Texas man visiting family in Montgomery County has played the same two-number combinations – both comprised of loved ones’ birthdays – in nearly every Mega Millions drawing for six years. Staying loyal to his routine despite minimal returns, the Plano resident bought a ticket in Maryland for the Feb. 22 drawing that made his wait worth $1 million.
The lucky $8 ticket, which he bought for both the Feb. 19 and Feb. 22 drawings, made him the first $1 million Mega Millions winner in Maryland this year. The “Rockville Roller” matched the first five winning numbers — 18, 24, 31, 34 and 55 — but did not match the Mega Ball number, which was 4.
“I recognized the numbers right away,” said the 65-year-old construction worker. “They were right there on my computer, right there on your website, but I didn’t believe it. It just couldn’t be right.”
The Lone Star State’s newest millionaire – courtesy of the Old Line State and Mega Millions – had quite a tale to tell. His retirement plans took a significant hit from a natural disaster a few years ago.
“I lost everything that I’d planned to rely on when I stopped working,” he told Lottery officials. “It’s been my biggest worry ever since.” The drawing, which gave him one of the four $1 million second-tier prizes in the country, has ended his concerns about his retirement years. “My son tells me that he can hear the relief in my voice. This really has changed my life.”
East Rockville Sunoco, which sold the $1 million winning Mega Millions ticket, earned a $2,500 bonus from the Lottery for the lucky sale. The Montgomery County business is located at 4100 Aspen Hill Road in Rockville.
Because no one hit the jackpot in the Feb. 22 and Feb. 26 drawings, players can try their luck at winning a $267 million jackpot up for grabs in the Friday, March 1 drawing. The cash option is $161.7 million.