A semi-retired security guard and a social worker from Desert Hot Springs claimed a $7 million lottery jackpot on Monday.
John Estrada, 65, randomly selected the SuperLotto Plus winning numbers — 8, 19, 20, 21, 41 and Mega number 3 — on Saturday at a Chevron mini-mart on Palm Avenue south of Desert Hot Springs after his shift as a part-time security guard.
That night, he and his wife, Patricia, 54, saw their numbers drawn for the jackpot.
"We checked the numbers many, many, many times and then we actually went to one of the local stores to get the winning numbers printed up to reconfirm it. Confirm, confirm, confirm," Patricia Estrada said.
They claimed the prize Monday afternoon at the California Lottery's Inland Empire District Office, a lottery spokesman said.
The $7 million jackpot provides much-needed relief for the Estradas, who say they planned to move out of their house within weeks because they could no longer afford the mortgage payments.
Now, the couple can halt their search for cheaper housing and plan to stay in their current home.
"We're not going to be multimillionaires with a million to blow every month, but we're going to be able to live comfortably with our house and our trucks," Patricia Estrada said.
The pair, who are regular lottery ticket-buyers whose biggest previous win was $150, insist they will maintain modest lifestyles and keep their jobs for the foreseeable future — at least part-time. But they're also considering how to spend some of the winnings.
The couple, who moved to Desert Hot Springs about three years ago from the Los Angeles area, wants to add to their growing brood of animals, which consists of two birds, a cat and two seven-week-old puppies.
John Estrada, a history buff, wants to visit Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, but the couple also fancifully lists off the places they would love to see on a cruise — from Alaska to Italy to Spain.
"I'll be following her," John Estrada said. "Wherever she wants to go, let's go have fun. It's our turn."
The Estradas say they want to consult with an accountant and an attorney, but they will likely select the annual pay-out over 26 years to avoid moving into a high tax bracket.
Their second option, the lottery spokesman said, is to take a one-time payment of about $3.5 million.
Good for them, I just hope they don't go out and buy a $8 mil. house. Good luck guys!
It gives me hope when people win who play with their own numbers and not quick picks, not to mention players who've been playing for years with nothing to show for it then BAM! it hits. I like these kind of stories better than the ones when people hit the lottery after wagering $1 their first time ever playing.
I think it was a quick pick.
I just love these kinda stories, Good Luck to them. Yeh don't go out and get an expensive house
waste of money! and put some away for a RAINY DAY!
In these uncertain times, the annuity looks better and better..
Congrats to the Estradas on their win!
Great story. I don't begrudge anyone winning but I really enjoy seeing it go to someone who really needs it sometimes.
Especially at 65 yrs old and on the verge of losing your home.
Oh, I thought when it said they randomly selected the numbers it meant they chose their own from nowhere. My bad.
"A win might not come when you want it to, But it is ALWAYS on time!" Good news is never late. Congrats to the winners and good luck to all of those who want to win which includes the entire LP family. At 65 years old I think that I would have taken the lump sum.
" I got my shades on waiting for the sun to shine my way, Everything evens up you just wait.... For even a garbage can gets a steak."
JAY Z
No way. Imagine the annual taxes on that house! I check realtor.com for fun just to see what my dream house would cost. Its roughly 400k. I wouldn't want one of those 7 thousand square foot multi million dollar homes. you can only live in one room at a time I wouldn't even want more than half an acre lot either. I'm not one for lawn care. As they say, my thumb is not green its gangrene.
congrats to the Estradas! thats a great story.
"I wouldn't even want more than half an acre lot either. I'm not one for lawn care."
That's how I feel, but you don't have to mow trees. Half an acre doesn't keep your neighbors nearly far enough away. Even 10 acres may only put your neighbors a few hundred feet away, but 250 feet of woods will do wonders to reduce visibility, and help a bit with noise. These people can't afford a big expensive home, but they can afford a comfortable house on a decent piece of land where taxes are reasonable. Unfortunately, Desert Hot Springs doesn't sound like an idyllic setting in the woods. On the upside, whatever grass they have probably won't grow very fast unless they're foolish enough to water it.
Karma working its magic!
A feelgood story for the holidays.
I just hope Mr. Estrada makes it to 91 so he can enjoy all his money.
Why do so many people hate quick picks? Who cares where the numbers come from??