Powerball luck brought Anne Arundel County’s David Lima Avalos (left) and his brother Carlos Vazquez to Lottery headquarters to claim David’s $50,000 prize. |
Anne Arundel County man takes home $50,000 prize
A Powerball and Mega Millions fan who chases the jackpot each week can now say he was just one number away from millions of dollars. The Severn man, who plays both games weekly, missed one of the white balls in the Powerball jackpot drawing on Dec. 4 but won a third-tier prize of $50,000!
David Lima Avalos didn’t watch the drawing but, the next day, scanned the ticket to find out the result. The restaurant employee was returning from dinner with family members when he stopped to check his ticket. As it turned out, he won $50,000!
“I just couldn’t believe it,” said David. “I think my blood pressure went up.”
As realization of his win sank in, the lucky player wasn’t sure what to do next. He asked a friend for advice and then he and his brother, Carlos Vazquez, checked the Lottery website at mdlottery.com. After finding out what to do, the two men came to Lottery headquarters together to claim the prize this week.
He was one of 15 players nationwide to win the $50,000 third-tier prize in that drawing and the only Marylander to do so. In 2019, Maryland has seen 51 $50,000 Powerball winners.
“I’m just so happy for my brother,” said Carlos, “and to think I thought he would never win.”
The 32-year-old father of a little boy and devoted church member, David said he plans to use his prize to give back to his family and his church. He will also put some of the windfall in the bank and host a grand New Year’s Eve celebration!
David’s $50,000 winning Powerball ticket came from Orchard Food Market at 1159 Reece Road in Severn. The jackpot continues to roll and currently sits at $160 million for the next drawing on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The cash option is $109 million.