RALEIGH, N.C. — A Charlotte man’s trip to the grocery store ended in a $1 million payout after his Powerball numbers hit big last week.
John Gerenza, 62, went to Harris Teeter on South Tryon Street for a cigar and also picked up a $2 Quick Pick Powerball ticket.
[ ALSO READ: Cornelius man uses numbers from fortune cookie to win $4M in lottery ]
In last Saturday’s drawing, Gerenza numbers matched that of the five white balls and was quickly $1 million richer.
“Obviously I was ecstatic,” he said after claiming his prize that totals $710,101 after tax withholdings. “We still don’t believe it actually.”
Gerenza said he’ll use some of the winnings to take his family on a beach vacation.
The jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball drawing is now up to $119 million, but your chances of netting the big prize are one in 292 million, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.
(WATCH BELOW: North Carolina man who won $10M lottery prize sentenced to life in prison)
This browser does not support the video element.