While passing through North Carolina on a job over the weekend, Melchor Aguilar, a truck driver from Inman, S.C., purchased a $30 lottery ticket and won a $5 million prize.

Aguilar bought his lucky 200X The Cash scratch-off on Saturday from the Kangaroo Express on East Swannanoa Avenue in Liberty.

When Aguilar arrived Thursday to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $250,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $3 million. He chose the lump sum of $3 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $2,152,508.

The 200X The Cash game debuted in March with five top prizes of $5 million and 10 $100,000 prizes. Three $5 million prizes and eight $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

For details on how money raised by the lottery makes a difference for education programs in all 100 North Carolina counties, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.