An unexpected event at a Warren convenience store led to a Michigan woman winning a $2 million lottery prize. The 64-year-old Oakland County resident, who has chosen to remain anonymous, purchased a Michigan Lottery's Strike It Rich instant game ticket, which resulted in a significant win. According to The Detroit News, the woman was not initially planning to buy a lottery ticket but was prompted by the customer ahead of her, who bought several tickets.
While seated in her vehicle, the woman scratched off the ticket and, upon realizing the value of her win, "immediately locked the doors and signed the ticket," she stated in a release to CBS News Detroit. Choosing a lump sum payout of about $1.3 million before taxes over an annuity, she plans to use the proceeds for paying off her car, making home improvements, and contributing to charity. She believes these actions will have a significant impact on her family's financial situation.
The Michigan Lottery confirmed to the Detroit Free Press in an interview that the instant game Strike It Rich, which costs $20 per ticket, still has two unclaimed prizes of $2 million. Since its launch in October, the game has piled up over $14 million in player winnings, with a considerable amount of prize money still on the table for potential winners.
Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli noted the coincidental timing of the win, noting, "This winner’s story is proof that you never know when you might be a lucky winner of a huge Lottery prize," as stated in a release by The Detroit News. The winning ticket was purchased at Meaad Enterprises LLC, located at 1950 East 12 Mile Road in Warren, which has since been noted by other lottery players.
