Workers at a Palm Coast convenience store said a local man was shaking after he came inside the store Sunday morning to check the winning Lotto numbers and discovered he'd won $10 million.
Don Baiga, clerk at the Kangaroo Express on Palm Harbor Parkway, said the man pulled out his five Quick Picks, which are randomly selected by the lottery machine, and Baiga proceeded to read him the numbers. The man, whom employees did not know by name, then handed over one of the tickets and asked the clerk to check it again.
And the numbers matched — 1-12-23-26-37-46.
"I shook his hand and said the $10 million winner in Palm Coast is you," Baiga said. adding they were told earlier Sunday there was a Palm Coast winner, but they weren't sure yet the ticket was bought at their store.
The man's hand started shaking, employees said. The clerk told him to sign the ticket, but he was too much in shock.
"I told him to drive slow and get home and put it some place safe until you get to Tallahassee," Baiga said.
Assistant Manager Tammy Ross said the man, who she thought was in his late 30s or early 40s, said he had to go home and tell his wife.
"I didn't know if he was going to pass out on the floor or not," Ross said.
Workers said the man is a regular at the store, buying coffee every morning and Lotto tickets twice a week.
"He comes in here, and we exchange conversations. He's a nice, hard-working guy," Ross said.
Officials with the Florida Lottery said the person who bought the ticket at the Palm Coast store was the only winner of the estimated $10 million jackpot.
About 85 players matched five numbers winning about $5,200 each, and about 4,688 players matching four numbers winning $76.50 each.
The Palm Coast store sold the winning ticket Saturday afternoon. Ross said the man was planning to drive to Tallahassee this morning with family members.
"It just shows you a dollar and dream — you never know," Baiga said. "He didn't even pick the numbers. They were quick picks."
The Palm Coast store has been lucky in the past, they said, with a woman last year winning the Fantasy Five quick pick twice for about $127,000 and $87,000 within 30 days.
I am happy for this man, but I wouldn't mind sharing! Anyway, I would never check my numbers out in a store. He shouldn't have even driven a car after he found out. I would be shaking so much I'd probably pee in my pants.
Good for him. Hopefully he made it home ok. lol.
congrats . . . . .he's living in the right place. The retirement state.....lol
I am happy for this man, but I wouldn't mind sharing! Anyway, I would never check my numbers out in a store. He shouldn't have even driven a car after he found out. I would be shaking so much I'd probably pee in my pants.
what a great story! I wish him & his family the best