North Carolina Man Scores Early Birthday Gift With $1.1 Million Lottery Win

A man in North Carolina got a life-changing early birthday present in the form of an incredible $1.1 million jackpot win.

Terrell Bethea , of West End, recently purchased a $1 ticket for the Monday (August 5) Cash 5 drawing from the Friendly Mart on N.C. 24/27 in Robbins, according to a release from the NC Education Lottery . When the time of the drawing came, he discovered he scored a $1.1 million jackpot, a win that came just in time for him to celebrated his 36th birthday.

"This happened two days before my birthday," he said. "Isn't that wild?"

Bethea recalled sharing the exciting news with his wife, telling lottery officials that she got emotional and saying, "She fell to her knees and broke down crying."

"This means more to me than you can possibly imagine," he said.

Bethea claimed his prize at lottery headquarters on Tuesday (August 6) and took home a grand total of $811,106 after all required state and federal tax withholdings. According to lottery officials, he has big plans for how to use his new winnings — like fulfilling a promise he made to his wife years ago to giver her a house.

"Now I can get my family the house they deserve," he said.