Illinois Man Wins $390,000 Lottery Jackpot Thanks to Gas Station Employee’s Mistake
New Buffalo, Michigan – In a stroke of luck, a man from Illinois has walked away with a whopping $390,000 after a gas station employee’s mistake. The fortunate winner, identified as Michael Sopejstal, purchased the winning ticket at a GoLo gas station in New Buffalo, Michigan, according to the Michigan Lottery.
Sopejstal had originally requested a lottery ticket for 10 draws. However, due to a unintentional error by the retailer, a ticket with 10 lines for just one draw was printed instead. Despite the mistake, Sopejstal decided to go ahead with the purchase and it turned out to be a life-changing decision.
The lucky winner is no stranger to the Lucky For Life lottery. Sopejstal revealed that he buys tickets for the game every few weeks during his visits to Michigan to enjoy a meal at his favorite restaurant. In a twist of fate, this time he managed to match five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, securing the prize.
Winning the top prize in the Lucky For Life lottery is no easy feat. Apart from matching the first five numbers, players also need to match an additional Lucky Ball to claim the grand prize. Sopejstal emerged victorious, etching his name in lottery history.
When asked about his plans for the windfall, Sopejstal mentioned his intention to use the money for traveling and saving the remainder. The Illinois resident had the choice of receiving annual payments of $25,000 for 20 years or for the rest of his life, whichever amount is greater.
The Lucky For Life game, which costs $2 per play, holds daily drawings at 10:38 p.m. Sopejstal’s fortunate win was not the only one for Thanksgiving Day. Another player from Ohio managed to clinch the same Lucky For Life prize, proving that good fortune was abundant during the holiday season.
The gas station employee’s mistaken ticket result has transformed Sopejstal’s life forever. This incident serves as a reminder that sometimes even the smallest errors can lead to life-changing experiences and unexpected wins.
