‘I’m going fishing’: Morganton man wins big lottery prize for a second time

MORGANTON, N.C. — Lottery luck has smiled on a Burke County man for the second time in seven years.

Donald Hildebran won $250,000 after buying four 20X The Cash scratch-off tickets at a convenience store in Morganton on Tuesday, the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a statement.

Donald Hildebran of Connelly Springs thought he had used up all his good luck when he won $200,000 seven years ago, but good luck struck again when he picked up a 20X The Cash scratch-off and won the game's top prize of $250,000. Congrats! https://t.co/nb2JeAWmAE pic.twitter.com/uVsPKLL8zH
— NC Education Lottery (@nclottery) February 7, 2020

It wasn't the first time Hildebran has hit it big in the lottery. In 2013, he won $200,000 in the Extreme Cash game.

Hildebran, a retiree from Connelly Springs, told lottery officials he spent some of his first prize on a beach trip and plans to do the same with his new prize.

“I’m going fishing,” he told lottery officials. “I’m going to the beach!"

ALSO READ: Man goes grocery shopping, leaves with lottery ticket worth $250K in Mint Hill

He claimed his prize on Wednesday, taking home $176,876 after taxes, according to the release.

The game launched the day Hildebran won. Five top prizes of $250,000 remain.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.