Hertford County woman will help her family with $200,000 win

Sarah Eley of Murfreesboro got a big surprise Saturday in the form of a $200,000 scratch-off prize.

“It did catch me off guard,” Eley laughed.

She bought her lucky Diamonds and Dollars scratch-off from the Duck Thru on East Memorial Drive in Ahoskie.

“That one just flashed out to me,” Eley said recalling her choice of scratch-off.

She arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to claim her prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $144,021.

Eley plans to use her winnings to help take care of her family.

The Diamonds and Dollars game debuted in May with four $200,000 top prizes. Two $200,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Hertford County received a $15 million grant from money raised by the lottery to build the new Ahoskie Elementary School. For details on other ways money raised by the lottery made a difference in Hertford County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.