Victoria Washington of Charlotte stopped on her way home from school on Thursday and grabbed a $1 Cash 5 ticket, leading to a $172,302 jackpot win.
“It was the most exciting feeling I’ve ever had,” she recalled. “It was unreal.”
Washington, a teacher for over 20 years, bought her lucky Quick Pick ticket from Saturn Petroleums on Little Rock Road in Charlotte. Her ticket matched all five numbers in the April 24 drawing to win the jackpot. The odds of matching all five balls are 1 in 962,598.
“I’ve had some success before but nothing like this,” Washington said. “I matched four balls two other times. That’s what made me think I could get all five one day.”
She called her friend right away to share the big news.
“It was thrilling,” Washington said. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”
She claimed her prize at lottery headquarters Wednesday and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $123,627.
Washington plans to use her winnings to buy a new car.
Cash 5 is one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets at a retail location or with Online Play through the lottery’s website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Wednesday’s jackpot is $174,000.
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Congratulations Victoria!