Dreams do come true! Vijay Chudasama of Virginia (left) and store clerk Kenny Patel celebrate his $50,000 Bonus Match 5 win in the May 9 drawing. |
Finds $50,000 top-prize win on Bonus Match 5 game
A 34-year-old Virginia man visiting friends in Baltimore saw his dream of winning big come true after buying a Bonus Match 5 ticket in the May 9 drawing. He won $50,000!
Indravijaysinh Chudasama of Manassas, nicknamed Vijay, stopped by Soda Pop Shop #8 located at 1026 Ingleside Avenue with one of his friends. At the friend’s urging, Vijay purchased several Maryland Lottery games including a Bonus Match 5 ticket for that night’s drawing.
“He kept telling me to play, play, so I did,” said Vijay. “All night I dreamed about winning.”
The next day, the Cold Stone Creamery general manager went back to the Soda Pop Shop to check his games. The cashier printed out the winning numbers and, to Vijay’s surprise, his dream came true! “I was so happy I won,” he said.
The winner called his wife immediately and shared the news. “She was so excited, telling me she was ready for shopping,” said Vijay, laughing. The father of two plans to surprise his young children later with the good news.
Also excited for Vijay was the owner of the Soda Pop Shop and the cashier who sold him the winning ticket. They accompanied the winner to Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim his prize. “This is so thrilling to have a big win sold in my store,” said the owner.
Vijay told Lottery officials that he has no immediate plans for his windfall. For now, he’ll just enjoy the win. The win brought good news for the Soda Pop Shop too, because it will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top-prize ticket in the game.