A North Carolina man could hardly believe his luck after he won over $1 million in his local lottery.
Ray Walker of Gastonia, a town about 25 miles west of Charlotte, purchased a $1 Cash 5 ticket for the Tuesday, Oct. 21, jackpot from a Kingsway convenience store, per a press release from the North Carolina Lottery (N.C. Lottery). He specifically bought a “Quick Pick” ticket — meaning a computer randomly selected five numbers for him.
Walker said that he checked his ticket just after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 22, and he was shocked to find he had won the $1,022,795 jackpot.
“I hollered and jumped up and down. I let out a big old yell,” he recalled while speaking to the N.C. Lottery.
“I had to wet my face a little bit to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” he added with a laugh.
Walker went on to say that he is still processing the news.
“I only slept an hour last night. I’m numb,” he said, adding, “This couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Walker claimed his prize on Oct., 22 at the N.C. Lottery’s headquarters in Raleigh. After state and federal taxes, he ultimately took home $733,856, per the release.
He said he plans to put the money into savings and potentially take a trip to Florida to see family.
Man Wins Over $1 Million After Spending Just $1 on Lottery Ticket: ‘I’m Numb’
