HYATTSVILLE, MD — A Prince George's County retailer recently sold a $5 million winning lottery ticket just days after the winner's 59th birthday.
The Washington, D.C., man claimed his winnings Tuesday, which was the first $5 million top prize on the LUZE scratch-off ticket.
Maurice Williams, a school bus driver, was on his way to work when he stopped at the 7-Eleven store at 7206 Sheriff Rd. in Hyattsville to cash in a $50 prize he previously won on that same $5,000,000 LUXE game. He used the winnings to purchase another ticket and sat in his car to play, but he almost missed the huge win, he told Maryland Lottery officials.
“I didn’t notice I had a matching number at first, until I scanned it,” he said. “It’s crazy because the matching number was 59 and I just turned 59 the other day.”
When the birthday boy scanned the ticket, it showed he won $5 million, the game’s top prize.
“I just sat there stuck, I mean, I couldn’t believe it,” Williams said. “I had to get my head straight.”
The D.C. resident called the one person who could calm him, his mother. She reassured him that everything would be okay and shared in his excitement. After telling his mother the good news, he put the ticket away and went about his work day. During his work break, he called the lottery to set up an appointment to claim his windfall.
After arriving at lottery headquarters, he shared how he'd spent a restless night thinking about the big win.
“I tossed and turned all night,” he said. “I still didn’t believe it until I came here.”
Williams shared that the first thing he'll do with his windfall is to buy his mom a house. Then he plans to save the rest and sit on it to figure out what he'll do.
Also celebrating the big win is the 7-Eleven in Hyattsville that sold the ticket, which receives a $5,000 bonus.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Bowie, MD Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.