A stroke of luck turned a routine purchase into a life-changing moment for a Michigan man who won a $150,000 Powerball prize. Brian Ellsworth, 65, from Jackson, matched four white balls and the Powerball in the drawing on April 3, catapulting his initial $50,000 win to a hefty $150,000 payout because of the Power Play option, as reported by CBS News Detroit.

According to ClickOnDetroit, Ellsworth was unaware of his windfall until he went to scan his tickets at the store. "When I took the tickets to the store a few days later to check them, one of them came up with a message to file a claim at the Lottery office. I had never seen that message before, so I wasn't sure what it meant. I scanned it a few more times and then finally asked the clerk what was going on," he recounted. The store clerk revealed to an incredulous Ellsworth that he was indeed a big winner.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Save Time store located at 2045 East South Street in Jackson, as further detailed by LotteryTexts. Ellsworth's post-work stop at the store on a seemingly ordinary day turned into an extraordinary payout, one that promises to bring ease to his life and that of his wife.

Now with the prize claimed, Ellsworth has plans to ride into the sunset, aiming to purchase a travel trailer, work on home repairs, and responsibly save the remainder. "It has been the longest week of my life holding onto this ticket, so I feel giddy to be at the Lottery office claiming my prize! Winning is going to make life easier for me and my wife," Ellsworth told CBS News Detroit, expressing both his relief and excitement for the future.

Powerball lottery tickets are widely available in the state for $2, offering Michiganders the chance to quickly turn their fortunes around. The Powerball drawings take place three times a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings—with additional options like Power Play and Double Play to increase the thrill and potential winnings for participants.