Washington, D.C. school bus driver Maurice Williams was on his usual morning route when a quick stop at a Hyattsville 7‑Eleven turned into a multimillion-dollar plot twist. After cashing a $50 lottery win, he used the money to buy a $5,000,000 LUXE scratch-off that revealed a $5 million top prize. Williams says one of his first moves will be to buy his mother a new house, and he plans to park the rest while he figures out what comes next. The unexpected score briefly hijacked an ordinary workday and has quickly become a big moment for the neighborhood.
As reported by the Maryland Lottery, Williams visited the Lottery Claim Center on May 5 to collect the first $5 million top prize on the $5,000,000 LUXE scratch-off. Officials said he only realized what he was holding after scanning the ticket, and the winning number, 59, lined up with his recent 59th birthday.
“I just sat there stuck, I mean, I couldn't believe it,” Williams told WMAR‑2 News. He said he called his mother right away, then set an appointment with lottery officials to complete the claim, according to the station.
About the game
According to the Maryland Lottery, the $5,000,000 LUXE scratch-off launched in February with three $5 million top prizes. Williams’ win locked in the first of those, leaving two top prizes still unclaimed. The Lottery also noted that the retailer that sold the winning ticket will receive a $5,000 bonus.
Where the ticket was bought
The winning ticket was sold at the 7‑Eleven at 7206 Sheriff Road in Hyattsville, and the store will collect the retailer bonus tied to the sale, local coverage shows. Patch reported the shop’s role in the win and noted that the lucky stop has quickly become a talking point in the immediate area.
Tax and claim notes
The IRS generally requires a 24% federal withholding on gambling prizes over $5,000, and winners can still owe more when they file their returns, according to the IRS instructions for Forms W‑2G. Maryland also applies state and local taxes to lottery payouts that can further reduce take-home pay; resources such as the Lottery Valley Maryland tax calculator show typical withholding examples for state winners.
Local context
Williams’ jackpot is the latest in a busy stretch for the Maryland Lottery this spring, with multiple six- and seven-figure prizes claimed across the region. more than $34 million in prizes in one week was recently documented, highlighting just how much cash has been flowing to players.
Williams told WMAR‑2 News that buying his mother a house is the one purchase he is certain about right now, and that he plans to take his time before making any other big financial decisions. For the moment, the Hyattsville 7‑Eleven has a new local claim to fame, and Williams is heading back to work with a very different week ahead.
