“I went ahead and filled it out again and the next morning my son asked why there were two different amounts listed. I realized, ‘I think I filled it out twice.'”
It turned out he had won $25,000 each year for life with each ticket in the November 27 drawing. That prize is the Lucky for Life’s drawing second-biggest prize, behind a $1,000 for life payout, according to the lottery.
“When I realized I won, I had to lay down on the floor because I really just couldn’t believe it,” Thomas said. “It’s just a blessing.”
Thomas, a dump truck operator, opted for a lump sum of $780,000 for both tickets instead of annual payments, according to the lottery, saying he wanted to invest in his business, pay off bills, help his family and perhaps buy a house.
After taxes, he netted $551,851, the lottery said.