Wait for a chicken sandwich leads man to buy Powerball ticket —and he wins big
A Virginia man’s stop for a chicken sandwich and a coffee turned out to be a life-changing decision.
Carlos Gutierrez of Centreville visited Lee’s Sandwiches in Falls Church while he was on his way to work, according to an Oct. 25 Virginia Lottery news release. He ordered his sandwich and drink, and decided he would buy a Powerball ticket at the store while waiting for his order, the release says.
When he came back to the shop the next day, he heard people saying excitedly that someone had won $1 million on their Powerball ticket the night before, lottery officials said. Gutierrez had one thought come to mind.
“Maybe it’s me,” Gutierrez said in the release.
His guess was correct — he had matched the first five numbers of his ticket with the Powerball drawing, which won him $1 million.
He could have won even more money if he has stuck with his original number combination, he said in the release, but he chose to switch his sixth number at the last minute. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1-in-292.2 million, according to lottery officials.
Gutierrez plans to use some of his prize money to expand his small business, lottery officials said.
Centreville is 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.
Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
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