A trip to collect a prize and a last-minute purchase paid off for Derek Smith of Winston-Salem to the tune of $200,000.
Smith initially stopped at the Harris Teeter on North Peacehaven Road in Winston-Salem to cash in a winning $50 ticket.
Remembering he had an extra $5 in his pocket, Smith decided to take a chance on a “7” scratch-off.
Back at home, he was eating breakfast when he scratched his new ticket.
“I hadn’t revealed any amount of money, yet,” said Smith. “When I scratched it, it said ‘7’. And I revealed the money and was like, ‘Woah, this is crazy!’ My wife was vacuuming, and I said to her, ‘Turn that thing off and don’t cry.’”
Smith’s wife couldn’t believe their good fortune.
“We were very excited,” she recalled. “High-fiving, dancing. We really couldn’t believe it. It’s just an incredible blessing.”
Smith claimed his prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and took home $141,501 after required federal and state tax withholdings.
“We’re gonna put the bulk of it towards our mortgage,” he said. “And the rest, we’re just gonna have some fun with it. Give a little bit to our kids and grandkids.”
The “7” game launched in May with six top prizes of $200,000. One top prize remains to be won.
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