Man wins $1 million on scratch-off bought with money found in store’s parking lot

BANNER ELK, N.C. (Gray News) – A man in North Carolina cannot believe his luck. Jerry Hicks found $20 in a gas station parking lot and used the money to buy a $1 million scratch-off win.

Hicks, a master carpenter, bought an Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket Tuesday evening from a Speedway convenience store in Boone.

“They actually didn’t have the ticket I was looking for, so I bought that one instead,” he told North Carolina Education Lottery officials.

He claimed his prize last Friday, opting to take home a lump sum payment of $429,007 after required state and federal tax withholdings.

“We are going to head straight to Golden Corral and eat everything they’ve got,” Hicks said after claiming his winnings.

Hicks plans to use his winnings to retire after working as a carpenter for 56 years and also plans to help out his children.