Tip leads Sanford man to $200,000 jackpot

RALEIGH -- Jose Guevara of Sanford won the top prize of the "$200,000 Jackpot" lottery game after following a drugstore clerk's suggestion that he try the new contest.

Guevara was with a friend who was buying medicine for his child, according to an N.C. Education Lottery news release. They stopped at the Kerr Drug on South Horner Boulevard in Sanford; while there, Guevara's friend suggested he buy a ticket.

Guevara was going to buy one of the $2 instant scratch-off tickets, but the cashier suggested the new "$200,000 Jackpot" ticket instead, which costs $5. He bought one ticket and scratched it off at home.

The odds of winning the top prize of $200,000 was 1-in-800,000, according to lottery figures. Guevara plans to use his winnings to further his education and visit family in El Salvador.