CALLAWAY, Md. — A Calvert County resident narrowly avoided losing a $50,400 lottery prize after rediscovering a misplaced ticket just days before it was set to expire.
The retired food service worker purchased the winning Bonus Match 5 ticket for the July 12 drawing at a Shell gas station on Point Lookout Road. Unaware of the win, he had tucked the ticket into a file container and nearly missed the 182-day deadline to claim the prize.
“I play every Friday for fun,” the winner said, describing his routine of buying tickets and saving any potential winners. This long-standing habit, he admitted, occasionally leads to misplaced or forgotten tickets.
The $4 ticket, based on jersey numbers from his favorite basketball and boxing players, yielded a $50,000 top prize on its fourth board. An additional quick-pick selection on the same ticket matched four numbers, adding another $400 to his winnings.
Grateful for the discovery, the sports fan said he plans to use the windfall to pay bills and bolster his savings. “I’ve lost tickets in the past, but this time, I’m just glad I found it,” he added.