'Winning Was A Complete Shock': MI Man Wins $2M On Scratch-Off Ticket

INGHAM COUNTY, MI — A Michigan man went to the grocery store to fill his pantries, but also filled his bank account after winning $2 million on a scratch-off ticket, according to the Michigan Lottery.

Hugh Leach, of Mason, bought his winning Michigan Lottery’s Diamonds and Gold ticket at the Meijer store, located at 550 Hull Road in Mason, according to lottery officials.

"I buy a $20 ticket every two weeks," Leach told lottery officials. "When I finished up grocery shopping, I stopped at the Lottery machine and purchased a ticket on my way out. When I got home and finished unloading the groceries, I scratched the ticket."

"When I saw I matched ‘02’ for a $2 million prize, I thought: ‘Wait a minute. This can’t be right.’ I looked the ticket over a few more times and then said to my wife: ‘I think I just won $2 million!’ I called the Lottery the next day to confirm it was real and schedule an appointment to claim my prize," Leach added.

Leach, 82, chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $1.3 million rather than annuity payments for the full amount, according to lottery officials.

With his winnings, he plans to purchase a new car and a new lawn mower, complete some home repairs and invest, according to lottery officials.

"You see these types of things happen to other people, but you never think it will be you, so winning was a complete shock," Leach told lottery officials.