LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville man is walking away with thousands of dollars after winning the lottery.
Lottery officials said the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, had just returned home from being out of the country to be with his mother before she died. His wife suggested they get out of the house and buy some lottery tickets to "help take his mind off things."
The man woke up at 4 a.m. the next day and checked his lottery tickets. He soon discovered that he matched all five numbers from the March 25 drawing -- winning the game's top prize of $225,000.
Hours after this massive win, he went to the lottery headquarters to claim his prize.
“I checked it at least five times. It’s really strange,” he said. “I guess she’s watching.”
The man said he hasn’t told anyone yet.
“Everything happened so fast,” he said. “I got a call, flew out to see my mom before she passed, we had the funeral, and then I got back and then this happened.”
The man told lottery officials he paid for the funeral arrangements, so the unexpected money will be very helpful. He said he’ll need time to figure out what to do with the winnings.
After taxes, he received a check for $162,001.44.
“She’s taking care of me,” he said.
Thorntons will receive $2,250 for selling the winning ticket.
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