AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — A Banner Elk man says a $20 bill he found lying on the ground outside a gas station led to one of the luckiest days of his life as he purchased a $1 million lottery ticket.
Jerry Hicks was at the Speedway on North Carolina 105 in Boone last Tuesday when he noticed a $20 bill on the ground. He then walked into the store and decided to use it on an Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket.
"They actually didn't have the ticket I was looking for so I bought that one instead," Hicks said.
The master carpenter arrived at North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters on Oct. 25 to collect his prize. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and after taxes, brought home $429,007. And he already knows what his first purchase will be.
"We are going to head straight to Golden Corral and eat everything they've got," Hicks joked.
He said he plans to use the rest of his winnings to retire after 56 years in the carpentry business. He also wants to help his children with some of their needs.
Playing the lottery is a form of gambling. If you are concerned about your gambling or worried about a friend, you can call the NC Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-718-5543. You can also contact the National Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.