TRENTON, NJ — A stalled car on a busy Essex County road turned out to be a life-changing detour for one New Jersey resident who walked away with a $600,000 Colossal Crossword Scratch-Off top prize.
The winner, whose name has not been released, was navigating traffic through South Orange on Tuesday, June 3, when a roadblock prompted an unplanned stop at a nearby 7-Eleven on Valley Street. The store visit led to the purchase of a $30 Colossal Crossword ticket, which matched 10 words — enough to claim the game’s top prize.
The same ticket run also included a Pick-3 and Pick-4 purchase, which brought in additional winnings exceeding $100. But it was the scratch-off that transformed a routine errand run into a lottery milestone.
The $600,000 win follows several prior wins by the same player, including prizes of $5,000, $1,000, and $700 in recent months. This latest victory is the first top-tier jackpot from the Colossal Crossword ticket purchased at 7-Eleven #36429, located at 60 Valley Street in South Orange.
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According to New Jersey Lottery officials, the Colossal Crossword ticket carries three top prizes of $600,000. This is the first claimed since the game’s release. Two remain unclaimed as of June 9.
The New Jersey Lottery has contributed nearly $33.7 billion to the state since its founding in 1970. Proceeds support state programs and public pensions under a long-term funding agreement.