RALEIGH – Ronald Johnson, a roofing contractor from Cary, won a $149,825 Carolina Cash 5 jackpot in the May 13 drawing. He plans to use his winnings to save for the future.

Johnson was stunned when he learned of his big win.

“I was up late that night so I decided to watch the drawing,” Johnson said. “My heart started racing when they drew my fourth number. You could say I was pleased, needless to say.”

Johnson’s Quick Pick ticket netted him $101,881 after taxes were withheld. He purchased the lucky ticket at the Wake Forest BP on North White Street in Wake Forest.

“You always think you’ve got a chance when you buy a ticket, but you never know,” Johnson said as he collected his winnings. “It’s a good feeling when you win big.”

Ticket sales for games such as Carolina Cash 5 have enabled the lottery to raise more than $2.8 billion for education initiatives statewide. Since the lottery began through June 30, 2012, Wake County education programs received more than $189.4 million in lottery funds. By law, those funds pay for teachers’ salaries in grades K-3, school construction, prekindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.