Eight Share $250,000 Mega Millions Prize
For nearly a year eight Pepsi production workers have pooled their resources to purchase Mega Millions tickets. On December 21st, their efforts paid off to the tune of $250,000 when they matched all five numbers to win the game’s second-tier prize.
The group’s spokesman, Christopher Krest, collects $10 each, each week, and buys $40 worth of Quick Pick tickets for each drawing, always at the same Lottery retailer. His typical routine is to check the numbers on mdlottery.com the next morning. This week he followed suit and saw that although there was no jackpot winner, there was however, a $250,000 Mega Millions winning ticket in Maryland.
Thinking little more about it, he went about his business, until later that day deciding to check the tickets. “I saw that we had all five numbers, except the Mega Ball,” said Christopher. “I called another guy to make sure that I saw what I saw.” The second man looked at the ticket and then called yet a third man to check the numbers. With the win confirmed, Christopher used his work radio to contact the other members of the group.
The eight assembled and the news was delivered all at once eliciting a collective cheer among the happy winners. “There were a couple of high fives,” said Dean Truitt, a 32-year Pepsi employee. With each member of the group receiving $20,546.88 after taxes, plans for the prize money range from buying a bicycle lock to purchasing a car. Many also intend to pay bills. The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday night’s drawing stands at $330 million, the third largest jackpot in the game’s history, and the gentlemen are eager to buy their tickets. “We’re going to be back,” said winner Peter Vasquez. “I’ve got a feeling.” The winning ticket was purchased at Chicken Man, located at 824 Snow Hill Rd. in Salisbury.