Mega Millions: Md. man claims $250K prize 1 day before deadline
An Elkton, Maryland, man claimed a $250,000 Mega Millions prize — with one day left before he missed the deadline.
The 52-year-old man, whose name wasn't released by Maryland Lottery officials last week, was preparing to pay his truck insurance Dec. 18 when he happened upon the ticket that was bought in June.
"It's up for renewal every six months," the winner said of his insurance. "I was putting the insurance papers in my console, and that's when I saw the Mega Millions ticket."
After finding his ticket, he remembered an article he saw about a big prize that hadn't been claimed, but he just shrugged it off. "I figured it had been claimed by now," he said.
The winner confirmed the $250,000 win by checking the Maryland Lottery website and calling the lottery claims center to find out if he calculated the 182-day claiming period correctly.
"When I realized I won, I was speechless," he told lottery officials. "Then, the biggest smile came across my face."
With his winnings, he said he plans to donate to a charity, help family, invest and take a vacation.
The winning ticket was purchased June 23 at a Royal Farms convenience store in Elkton.