Glittery lottery ticket tempted NC newlywed. Jackpot win covers Florida honeymoon.
A glittery lottery ticket caught a North Carolina newlywed’s eye on a stop at a convenience store, NC lottery officials said.
Michael Abernathy pulled out $30 for the Millionaire Maker scratch-off ticket, and it won him $30 back, so he bought two more, according to a lottery news release.
He won nothing on the first ticket but scratched off a $1 million top-prize jackpot on the second one, officials said.
The Lexington truck driver beat odds of 1 in 2.95 million, according to the lottery website.
Four days after tying the knot, the 60-year-old Abernathy became the 20th million-dollar winner in the game, officials said. Ten top-prizes remain.
“Phenomenal, the way this has all happened,” Abernathy said when he and his bride claimed the prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Thursday. “It’s amazing. It’s a blessing.”
Abernathy bought the ticket on Wednesday at the Sheetz on South Main Street in Lexington.
“I about passed out when I saw it was a million dollars,” he told officials.
He could choose between an annuity of $50,000 a year for 20 years or a $600,000 lump sum. He netted $424,509 after taxes by choosing the lump sum, according to the lottery.
Proceeds will cover the couple’s honeymoon in Florida next year, Abernathy said. He will pay off bills and save for retirement with the rest of his win, he said.
“I’m 60 years old, so I’m going to put the rest up for security,” he said.
This story was originally published October 9, 2021 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Glittery lottery ticket tempted NC newlywed. Jackpot win covers Florida honeymoon.."