Just over a month after the winning numbers were drawn for the second-largest Powerball prize in history, a trust has claimed the Texas portion of the prize.
The winning ticket, with player-chosen numbers, was sold at Big’s 103, located at 11905 E. U.S. Highway 290, and matched all six numbers drawn (11-23-44-61-62, Powerball 17). For selling the jackpot-winning ticket, the retailer received a $250,000 bonus.
According to a representative of the trust, the player usually selects random numbers, but on this occasion, they decided to choose numbers that were meaningful to them. However, after they purchased the ticket, they realized one of the numbers they had selected was different from the one they had intended to pick.
While driving to church the morning after the drawing, they checked the ticket and realized they had won the jackpot. They pulled over to check their numbers a few more times, placed the ticket in the glovebox and went inside.
A representative of the trust provided the following statement through their legal representation:
“We are Texas true to the state and its values. We believe in family, in faith, and in the blessings that come through both. This is a moment of gratitude for us, a blessing we plan to enjoy and share with those who are special to us and who serve our community. We ask for privacy as we look forward to enjoying our lives together as a family. God bless Texas.”
The winning Powerball jackpot started as a $20 million prize on June 2 and continued for 42 drawings, setting a record for the game’s longest jackpot run before being hit.
This is the Texas Lottery’s third Powerball jackpot winner since joining the multijurisdictional game in 2010 and the first since February 2015, when a claimant from Austin won a share of the $564.1 million jackpot prize with two other winners.