Grocery trip leads to $1 million Powerball win for Berks County woman
EXETER TOWNSHIP, PA — A Berks County woman unknowingly walked out of a GIANT Food Store with a $1 million Powerball ticket in her pocket, discovering the life-changing prize days later while doing dishes at home.
On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Lottery officials presented a commemorative check to Debbie Truckermiller at the GIANT location on Perkiomen Avenue, where she purchased the winning ticket for the November 1 Powerball drawing. The ticket matched five white balls drawn — 2, 26, 43, 44, and 62 — missing only the red Powerball number, 22.
The store will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Truckermiller, a finance professional, said she often plays when the jackpot grows large. At the time of her win, the jackpot was an estimated $400 million annuity.
She did not check her numbers immediately and instead found out she had won two days later after seeing a reminder on social media. She confirmed the win at home and shared the news with her family.
Truckermiller and her husband plan to use the money to help their adult children with student loans, invest, and travel. The family also intends to make home renovations and attend sporting events.
State officials highlighted that every lottery ticket supports senior programs in Pennsylvania. Since 1972, the Pennsylvania Lottery has generated more than $37.2 billion to benefit older residents across the state.
The next Powerball drawing, scheduled for Saturday, carries a jackpot of $546 million annuity or a $255 million cash option. More than 36,600 other Pennsylvania Lottery players also won prizes in the November 1 drawing, including over 8,100 who played Power Play and more than 4,800 who used Double Play.
Players have one year from the date of the drawing to claim prizes and can check tickets using the Lottery’s mobile app or at retail locations statewide.
——
Key Points
- Berks County resident won $1 million Powerball prize with ticket bought at GIANT in Exeter Township
- The ticket matched five white balls in the November 1 drawing; jackpot missed by one number
- Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is now $546 million annuity or $255 million cash