A routine car wash turned into a life-changing Powerball win for one father.
The lucky dad told lottery officials he bought the winning ticket on a whim while getting his car washed. He ended up claiming a $1,000,004 prize, which he collected alongside his wife and their three adult children.
“A few years from now, we hope we’re all less stressed and just happy,” he said.
A simple trip to the car wash brought a massive lottery payout — and the winner’s wife instantly knew how she wanted to spend part of it.
A father of five from Chicago, who chose to remain anonymous, told Illinois Lottery officials the whole thing began when he stopped for a car wash “and decided to play the lottery at a new place.”
He chose to try his luck with Powerball because he “wanted to play for the most money.”
On August 9, he matched all five numbers — 7, 14, 23, 24, and 60 — winning $1 million plus a $4 bonus for matching the Powerball.
Lucky Father Scores $1 Million Powerball Win
“When I checked the numbers, it sank in immediately that I had won,” he told lottery officials. “I felt relieved, but my wife thought I was lying. Then she said, ‘We’re going to Disney World!’”
The family recently claimed the $1,000,004 at Illinois Lottery Headquarters under the name “Malongo” and posed for a photo with their oversized check.
Along with making his wife’s Disney dream a reality — “Disney World is officially on the itinerary,” he said with a laugh — they also plan to use the prize to help fund their children’s future education. They hope this unexpected windfall will lift some financial pressure off their shoulders.
“A few years from now, we hope we’re all less stressed and just happy,” he added.
The Exxon Mobil station that sold the winning ticket will also receive a $10,000 bonus — 1% of the prize total.
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