Jackpot chaser claims $30,000 prize on ticket bought on mom’s birthday
A very happy and excited Mega Millions jackpot chaser is still floating on air today. Not only did the 34-year-old attorney land a new job, she also landed a $30,000 Mega Millions prize in the Friday, Oct. 25 drawing.
The Phoenix, Md. resident found her lucky ticket at the Phoenix CMF gas station and convenience store. She went to the Lottery retailer located at 14243 Jarrettsville Pike in Phoenix specifically to purchase crossword scratch-offs. While there, however, she noticed that the Mega Millions jackpot had rolled to $93 million. The jackpot chaser purchased one quick-pick ticket and added the Megaplier option for an additional $1. Her second reason for buying the ticket? “I was feeling lucky because it was my mother’s birthday,” she said.
After purchasing her games, the loyal player headed home. She checked her Mega Millions numbers online the next day and noticed she matched four white balls and the gold mega ball for a $10,000 win. Because the Megaplier was a 3 for that drawing, her prize increased to $30,000. In shock, the lucky lady decided she needed proof of her win so she scanned the tickets using the Lottery app on her phone.
“The message said I was a winner,” she recalled, laughing. “I didn’t know whether to throw up or jump up and down!” She opted for the latter.
The winner could not believe her luck. She immediately signed the back of her ticket, placed it in an envelope and put that in a Bible for safekeeping. When claiming her prize at Lottery headquarters, she told Lottery officials that she needs a new car and will put some of the windfall toward a new set of wheels. She also plans to go on a shopping spree and take a trip or two.
The Baltimore County player was the only Marylander to win the third-tier prize in the drawing. The jackpot is still rolling and set at $118 million for the Friday, Nov. 1 drawing. The cash option is $793 million.