David Meares couldn’t wait to share his big news—so he called his daughters in the middle of the night. “I’m pretty sure we scared them because we called at 12:30 in the morning,” he laughed, recalling the moment he told them he’d just won a life-changing prize.
The 60-year-old from Columbus County, North Carolina, hit the second-tier Lucky for Life prize after spending just $2 on an online ticket. His win? $25,000 a year for life—or, as he later chose, a lump sum of $390,000, leaving him with $279,826 after taxes.
“I was up all night long,” Meares said. “My adrenaline was flowing.” Against 1-in-1.8 million odds, he matched all but one number in the Oct. 5 drawing—a true stroke of luck. His victory kicked off a mini lottery streak, with another North Carolina player winning the same prize the very next night.
Family is at the heart of Meares’ celebration. He’s already planning to buy UTVs so his relatives can ride together. “Family is the number one thing to me,” he told lottery officials. “All for one and one for all.”
While many enjoy lottery games responsibly, officials remind players that gambling can be harmful for some, with the potential to impact lives and families.
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