BEL AIR, MD – A Harford County resident won a $50,000 third-tier Powerball prize after receiving an unexpected wish from a stranger during her ticket purchase.
Known by the nickname “Miracles Happen,” the 59-year-old woman was buying her ticket for the September 2 drawing at a Bel Air Wawa when a passerby wished her good luck, hoping she would win one million dollars. She bought a quick-pick ticket and later realized some of the numbers were unusually high.
The next day, she found that her unique first line of numbers was the winner. She had 25, 38, 59, 66 and 67 with the Powerball of 19. She was one number short of the full jackpot; the winning number needed for the jackpot was 42, not 59. The resident, who lives near Bel Air, said she’s grateful for the prize and thankful for the stranger’s wish.
“It wasn’t quite a million, but I will take it,” she said.
She plans to use the $50,000 to pay bills and contribute to her retirement fund. The ticket was purchased at Wawa #586, located at 601 Hoagie Drive in Bel Air. The upcoming Saturday, September 16 drawing boasts a jackpot with an estimated annuity of $596 million and an estimated cash option of $288.2 million. This is the third time in this year that the jackpot has surpassed half a billion dollars.