Misses historic $1.08 billion jackpot by just one number
“We have to remember to stop for Powerball tickets,” is what a 30-year-old jackpot chaser said to her family after leaving a gathering last week. It’s a good thing she didn’t forget because the ticket she bought on July 19 turned out to be a $1 million second-tier Powerball winner.
The lucky woman was chasing the $1.08 billion jackpot that night and not going to miss out on getting a ticket. She stopped at River Hill Sunoco in Clarksville and purchased a $10 ticket containing five lines of numbers. The loyal player used numbers of significance to her for four of the lines and let the terminal quick pick one line of numbers. It wasn’t until the next day that she discovered her millionaire status.
“I actually scanned the winning ticket on my phone the next day,” said the winner’s husband, a federal employee. The message that appeared said to contact the Lottery. “I called my wife and said, ‘If you win, will you share it with me?’”
The lucky lady was in disbelief as her husband started reading back the winning numbers. “I knew those were some of my numbers,” said the healthcare worker. “And, when I saw where the ($1 million winning) ticket was bought, I knew it was me.”
The big winner just missed the jackpot by one number. She matched the first five white balls but missed the red Powerball, taking home a second-tier $1 million win.
When claiming the prize with her husband, the new mom told Lottery officials that realization of her lucky win is still sinking in. The couple say they will put the winnings into savings. “It’s not life changing,” said the lucky winner. “But, it’s nice to have a little cushion and security.”
She was one of five big Maryland Powerball winners in the drawing. A California ticket, however, won the $1.08 billion jackpot. This was the third largest jackpot in Powerball history and the sixth largest in U.S. lottery history.
Also celebrating the Marylander’s $1 million second-tier win is River Hill Sunoco. The Howard County Lottery retailer located at 5015 Signal Bell Lane will receive a $2,500 bonus for selling the second-tier winning ticket.
