North Carolina man wins $1 million after finding $20 on ground outside convenience store

BOONE, N.C. (WGHP) — A $20 bill lying on the ground outside a convenience store led Jerry Hicks, of Banner Elk, to a $1 million scratch-off win, according to an NC Education Lottery news release.

“I found $20 in the parking lot outside the Speedway,” Hicks said. “I used that to buy the ticket.”

Hicks, a master carpenter, took the $20 and walked into the Speedway on N.C. 105 in Boone on Tuesday evening and bought an Extreme Cash scratch-off.

“They actually didn’t have the ticket I was looking for, so I bought that one instead,” he said.

Hicks said he knows the first thing he wants to do after he claims his winnings.

“We are going to head straight to Golden Corral and eat everything they’ve got,” he said.

When Hicks arrived at lottery headquarters Friday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000.

He chose the lump sum of $600,000.

After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $429,007.

Where can I get the latest lottery numbers?

Watch lottery drawings on FOX8! Mega Millions airs at 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Powerball airs at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The NC Lottery airs at 11:22 p.m. every night.

You can also find the lottery results online on the FOX8 website .

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