Carmen Smith of Arden tried her luck on a $20 scratch-off and won a $2 million top prize.
Smith bought her lucky $2 Million Vault ticket from the Circle K on Boylston Highway in Mills River.
When Smith arrived on Friday to claim her prize, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $100,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million. She chose the lump sum of $1.2 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $861,006.
The $2 Million Vault game debuted in May with three top prizes of $2 million and six $100,000 prizes. One $2 million prize and four $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
For details on how $10.9 million raised by the lottery made a difference for Buncombe County education programs last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.