COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – A Little River couple cashed in a $4 million winning ticket Monday, making them South Carolina’s second largest Mega Millions prizewinners.
Stephen Jones Jr. says fate played a role in the family’s multi-million dollar win.
He says he went to buy a Mega Millions ticket for the previous day’s drawing but was too late, sales were suspended. Undeterred, he went back the next day to the Circle K on US 17 in Little River and spent $2 on what turned out to be a winning ticket in Friday night’s drawing.
Before going to bed Friday, he checked his ticket. Then he had his wife check the ticket.
The first five numbers matched (1, 34, 43, 44, and 63). Had the Megaball number “11” matched, a $111 million jackpot would have been theirs, but the couple is pleased with their consolation prize.
Because Jones spent the extra $1 for the Megaplier, his would be $1 million prize was quadrupled to $4 million with the selection of a “4” multiplier. Jones says he quickly did the math and knew he was a millionaire.
“We didn’t sleep after that,” he said.
Jones told lottery officials he kept his composure over the weekend, waiting to turn over his winning ticket. But on the drive down to Columbia from Little River, he says he started to sense the magnitude of the moment.
“We have wanted to start our own business for a while,” he said standing with his wife after presenting the winning ticket. “Now we can.”
For selling the claimed ticket, Circle K in Little River received a commission of $40,000.
The Mega Millions jackpot for tonight’s drawing is an estimated $122 million.