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Fire destroys car of Powerball lottery winner
Powerball: Fire destroys car of Powerball lottery winner
Fire officials are investigating the cause of an early morning car fire on the Merritt Parkway that destroyed an Audi R8 belonging to a Connecticut Powerball winner.
According to reports, Rahul Patel, of Newington, was driving the car, only a week old, northbound on the parkway around 9 a.m., when, between exit 46 and 47 in Fairfield, he looked up in the rearview mirror and saw smoke.
As the car's engine is in the rear, Patel pulled over to see if there was something wrong with the vehicle. After stepping out of the car, he reportedly saw flames coming out of the engine.
No one was hurt in the incident, but the car was a complete loss. Fire officials said the car is only one of two of its kind in the United States and that the car was valued at $140,000, with options. The list price for the vehicle on the Audi web site is $114,000.
Losing such a rare car might be considered bad luck but, almost exactly a year ago, Patel had luck of a different sort when he won a $25 million Powerball jackpot. He won the money on June 29, 2009, from a $1 ticket.
At that time, Connecticut lottery officials said Patel, then 32 years old, and the only winner, opted to take the prize as a one-time cash lump sum of $12.5 million. After state and federal taxes, he received a check for $8.7 million.
A section of the parkway was closed for about 30 minutes due to the car fire. The cause of the fire is unknown and the Fairfield Fire Department is investigating.
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32 comments. Last comment 2 months ago by .
Massachusetts United States Member #37842 April 14, 2006 203 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 11, 2010, 9:14 pm - IP Logged |
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Oh my, more publicity. Which I'm sure he does not need.
I think I'm too cheap for life because my idea of splurging is a Corvette, not a $140,000 Audi. Some hit but never know it, some will never hit and some will hit and wont even be ready
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new york United States Member #90565 April 29, 2010 95 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 11, 2010, 9:19 pm - IP Logged |
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Fire officials are investigating the cause of an early morning car fire on the Merritt Parkway that destroyed an Audi R8 belonging to a Connecticut Powerball winner.
According to reports, Rahul Patel, of Newington, was driving the car, only a week old, northbound on the parkway around 9 a.m., when, between exit 46 and 47 in Fairfield, he looked up in the rearview mirror and saw smoke.
As the car's engine is in the rear, Patel pulled over to see if there was something wrong with the vehicle. After stepping out of the car, he reportedly saw flames coming out of the engine.
No one was hurt in the incident, but the car was a complete loss. Fire officials said the car is only one of two of its kind in the United States and that the car was valued at $140,000, with options. The list price for the vehicle on the Audi web site is $114,000.
Losing such a rare car might be considered bad luck but, almost exactly a year ago, Patel had luck of a different sort when he won a $25 million Powerball jackpot. He won the money on June 29, 2009, from a $1 ticket.
At that time, Connecticut lottery officials said Patel, then 32 years old, and the only winner, opted to take the prize as a one-time cash lump sum of $12.5 million. After state and federal taxes, he received a check for $8.7 million.
A section of the parkway was closed for about 30 minutes due to the car fire. The cause of the fire is unknown and the Fairfield Fire Department is investigating.
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(Click to display full-size in gallery)  It only takes 1 SINGLE QUICK PICK TICKET TO WIN A JACKPOT. I won't be buying a $114,000k car when i win a jackpot. I will buy a used a car, having a lot of money is a serious matter.
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Texas United States Member #92358 June 5, 2010 67 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 11, 2010, 10:03 pm - IP Logged |
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That's some bad news, but as the other two posters have said, it would have been better to buy a cheaper car. Good to hear he is okay though.
Personally I'd go with a car in the $30,000-$50,000 price range. Particularly so if something happens to it I won't be as big in the hole and also so I'm not immediately labeled as 'very wealthy', just 'doing well'.
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Winston Salem, NC United States Member #74282 April 24, 2009 719 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 11, 2010, 11:51 pm - IP Logged |
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lol the fire officals claim it was only one of two r8's in the country....??? well thats some bull, i've seen r8's driving around NC. another joke is the fact that if it were only one of the two r8"s in the states.... wouldn't it be worth more than $140k
every one can relax because im sure the guy has/had insurance on the car. may be he will get another one and claim to have owned 2 of the only 3 r8's in the States.
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Pennsylvania United States Member #17377 June 10, 2005 1870 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 1:24 am - IP Logged |
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Kobra- ITs this upcoming years model (note they even say the car was just a week old! 2011 series were just relased)- so its ABSOLUTELY possible that its only one of two out there on the roads Maybe you are thinking of another model year one that you keep seeing???..... .Are you a car appraiser to know the value? Or do you go off Kelly Bluebook ?
As to how that guy spends his money- Its nunmybiz. He can spend it on silly bands. ITs his to enjoy! and enjoy it he will. Just hate to see a loss of property for anyone....rich or poor its a loss . ________________________________
A tailor is a wiseman- He can mend anyone who is too big for their breeches :)
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Australia Member #37542 April 11, 2006 676 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 4:54 am - IP Logged |
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nvm the car, im more concerned a $25M jackpoyt lands him with 8 mill in his pocket. i look at all lotteries as a 50-50 chance,
either i win or i don't
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New Member  London United Kingdom Member #93662 July 4, 2010 14 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 6:49 am - IP Logged |
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nvm the car, im more concerned a $25M jackpoyt lands him with 8 mill in his pocket. I wonder if winners in US lotteries would receive the full jackpot amount eventually if they opted for annual payments ?
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United States Member #52818 May 21, 2007 487 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 6:54 am - IP Logged |
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 seeing high end cars go up in smoke isn't that uncommon ...
but of course I get the weekly newsletter from wreckedexotics.com and seen plenty of them
which makes me wonder if thar worth the price ??
actually in this morning's letter ...... thars a nice pic of toasted hummer limo 
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New Member London United Kingdom Member #93662 July 4, 2010 14 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 7:22 am - IP Logged |
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It's a burden to own a flashy car and I wouldn't want one even if I won the lottery.
I get a strange satisfaction to see a sports car being ticketed, towed away or clamped for illegal parking.
Took this pic some months ago on a side-street where I live: 
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PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 255 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 10:18 am - IP Logged |
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I am not sure that having a less expensive car makes you wiser or a better person !
Money is for saving AND spending !
If I would ever win a large amount - I would have an expensive car or 2 - it is up to each individual as to what they do with their money - not for self-proclaimed experts !
If you want a sports car, purchase one and don't worry about lunkheads that think you should be driving a pickup truck !
I hope that the gentleman gets another dream car, if that is what he wants, after all - it is HIS money !
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Winston Salem, NC United States Member #74282 April 24, 2009 719 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 11:05 am - IP Logged |
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Kobra- ITs this upcoming years model (note they even say the car was just a week old! 2011 series were just relased)- so its ABSOLUTELY possible that its only one of two out there on the roads Maybe you are thinking of another model year one that you keep seeing???..... .Are you a car appraiser to know the value? Or do you go off Kelly Bluebook ?
As to how that guy spends his money- Its nunmybiz. He can spend it on silly bands. ITs his to enjoy! and enjoy it he will. Just hate to see a loss of property for anyone....rich or poor its a loss . oh ok, i see were its says the car was a week old. i guess my first time reading it i figured it was a week old to him. and trust me hun you may mistake a r8 for another model or year. but i want
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Australia Member #37542 April 11, 2006 676 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 11:16 am - IP Logged |
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I wonder if winners in US lotteries would receive the full jackpot amount eventually if they opted for annual payments ? yeaH THE ADVERTISED JACKPOT IS ANNUITY , but not taxes. so if he had taken annuity he would get 25 mill over the years but had to pay tax ea year. on what he gets.so woulda been $25 mill over 25 years minus tax.
i think the trick is to figure if you can do better with the money than the gov in the intervening 25 years. most people feel they can, and take the lump sum. what with interest rates being what they are over there in USA and UK even, i dont think i could find a safe place to invest and live off the interest. i look at all lotteries as a 50-50 chance,
either i win or i don't
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Austin United States Member #9550 December 6, 2004 93 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 11:49 am - IP Logged |
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My house cost less than that car!
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Pennsylvania United States Member #17377 June 10, 2005 1870 Posts Offline |
| Posted: July 12, 2010, 12:37 pm - IP Logged |
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SO were my grandparents when purchased (bought for 38,000 sold for 180k$ years later, they put one third down and paid off in 15 years so they made a nice chunk of change) - Luckily real estate is on the upswing in some areas so you will gain value thru time. Cars usually lose value after time, (unless its a rare collectors model). ________________________________
A tailor is a wiseman- He can mend anyone who is too big for their breeches :)
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