For Holly Springs great-grandfather Bruce Russell, one $1 Quick Pick turned into a six-figure lifeline. The great-grandfather of nine says his $301,922 Carolina Cash 5 jackpot hit at “perfect timing” as he and his wife juggle hospital bills. Russell bought the winning ticket at the Stop N Go on North Main Street, matched all five numbers, and later headed to lottery headquarters in Raleigh, where he walked out with $217,414 after required tax withholdings.
According to CBS17, Russell called the win “perfect timing” and added, “this really is a big relief.” In a news release, the North Carolina Education Lottery noted that he bought the ticket at the Holly Springs Stop N Go, then went to the Raleigh office to claim his prize. The release also points out that education programs in Wake County received $64.3 million in support from lottery funds last year.
How He Plans To Use The Winnings
Russell told the lottery and local reporters that a portion of the money will go toward his wife’s hospital bills, calling the prize “a weight off our shoulders,” according to CBS17. He and his wife wrapped up the claim paperwork at lottery headquarters on Monday, turning that $1 ticket into some badly needed breathing room.
Odds, Taxes And Cash 5 Basics
The odds of matching all five balls in Carolina Cash 5 are 1 in 962,598, and the rolling jackpot starts at $100,000, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery. Cash 5 is a daily draw game in North Carolina, and the $301,922 prize Russell claimed reflected a roll from previous drawings. After required federal and state tax withholdings, he left Raleigh with about $217,414 in hand.
For a family balancing medical expenses and everyday costs, that kind of windfall is more than just a lucky break. Russell’s win is a reminder that a single $1 ticket can occasionally deliver a very real, very local game changer.
