BALTIMORE, MD – A routine stop in Maryland turned into a $50,000 surprise for a Texas truck driver last month. The lucky winner, visiting from San Benito, Texas, purchased his winning third-tier Powerball ticket while stopping for snacks at the Pilot Travel Center on 11633 Greencastle Pike in Hagerstown.
After buying the ticket using a mix of random numbers and family birthdays, the driver, a married father of three, continued his journey unaware of his win until he was back on the road, over 1,700 miles later. Upon checking his tickets on the Powerball website, he discovered his luck. “I knew it was something, but wasn’t sure how much,” he recalled. It turned out he matched four white balls and the red Powerball, securing the third-tier prize.
The revelation led to a joyful group call with his family to celebrate the news. However, claiming the prize posed a challenge since Powerball rules stipulate that winnings must be collected in the state of purchase. Fortunately, his employer arranged for him to pass through Maryland again, allowing him to claim his prize during a work trip, accompanied by his wife.
The delighted couple visited the Lottery Winner’s Circle in Baltimore to officially claim the prize, which the winner plans to add to his retirement fund. This win marks one of 36 $50,000 third-tier Powerball prizes awarded in Maryland this year. Meanwhile, Powerball players still have a chance to win big in tonight’s draw, with an estimated jackpot of $185 million annuity or a $92.1 million cash option.
