Chowan County man wins $130,000: “My heart about beat out of my chest”

Dean Heffernan of Edenton said he’s long dreamed of winning a big lottery prize and a $1 Cash 5 purchase helped that become a reality when he won a $130,000 jackpot Thursday night.

“I’ve always dreamed about winning,” Heffernan said. “This is a dream come true.”

Heffernan said he checked his ticket early Friday morning and saw that his numbers matched.

“My heart about beat out of my chest,” he laughed.

Heffernan said he loves playing all the lottery games but he has never won a prize like this before.

“I’m just tickled to death right now,” he said.

He bought his lucky Quick Pick ticket from the Speedway on Virginia Road in Edenton. The odds of matching numbers on all five white balls are 1 in 962,598.

“Winning this is just awesome,” he said.

Heffernan claimed his prize at lottery headquarters Friday and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $92,951.

He plans to use his winnings to set up a trust fund for his son.

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 with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Friday’s jackpot is $100,000.

Chowan County received over $47 million in grants from money raised by the lottery to build a new high school. For details on other ways money raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Chowan County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.