Man who ‘always dreamed’ of winning NC lottery prize hits jackpot. ‘Tickled to death’
A lottery player’s dreams of winning big became a reality when he laid eyes on his ticket.
“My heart about beat out of my chest,” Dean Heffernan told North Carolina Education Lottery officials of the moment he realized he won $130,000.
Heffernan, who lives in Edenton, bought a $1 Cash 5 ticket from a Speedway store and wound up matching all five numbers, officials said.
“I’m just tickled to death right now,” he said, according to officials. “Winning this is just awesome.”
Heffernan beat odds of 1 in 962,598 to win the Cash 5 grand prize, lottery officials said. He claimed his winnings on June 21, taking home $92,951 after taxes.
Now, the Chowan County man said he plans to set up a trust fund for his son.
“I’ve always dreamed about winning,” Heffernan said. “This is a dream come true.”
Edenton is about a 140-mile drive east from Raleigh.
This story was originally published June 21, 2024 at 4:47 PM.