License Plate Sighting Turns Into Big Lottery Win Out Of Vernon

VERNON, CT — A "sign" on the back of a backing car led to a big Connecticut Lottery player who was visiting a store in Vernon.

A few weeks ago, Jeffrey Ward, of Hebron, was leaving the Mile Hill Xtra Mart in Vernon when he noticed a vehicle from out of state with the number 2137 on its license plate. A plate from another state is not unusual, considering the store is close to the Interstate-84 Exit 67 interchange and travelers from all over the region use it as an oasis.

It just so happens that 2137 is also one of Ward's favorite numbers to play in the CT Lottery's Play4 draw game. He said he took the coincidence as a "sign" and decided to purchase a few extra Play4 tickets — more than usual.

As fate would have it, the Play4 Day number wound up being 2137 in a drawing just two days later — on Dec. 30.

Each of Ward's tickets — 10 in total — were worth $5,000 for a total prize of $50,000.

"I gave two ($5,000) tickets to my daughter and the rest I'm just going to save for now," Ward told CT Lottery officials. "It feels wonderful."