A truck driver's pit stop in North Carolina turned into a $120,000 jackpot win. Jonathan Hodge, an Alabama native, hit the Cash 5 lottery on May 8, the North Carolina Education Lottery announced on May 16. His lucky ticket, bought online, transformed a routine drive into a life-changing moment.
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Hodge purchased his $1 Cash 5 ticket using the Quick Pick option, letting the system choose his numbers. The decision proved golden when his ticket matched all five white balls, defying 1-in-962,598 odds. Cash 5, North Carolina's nightly rolling jackpot game, starts at $100,000 and grows until someone wins. Players can also add Double Play for $1, entering their numbers in a second drawing for more prizes, or EZ Match for $1, offering instant wins up to $500, per NCLottery.com.
Matching two to four numbers can yield smaller prizes, but Hodge's ticket claimed the full jackpot. "I kept reading it over and over," he told the lottery, laughing. After federal and state taxes, he took home $86,109. "It's a nice little cushion," he said, calling the win "pretty cool."
Jackpot for the Future
Hodge plans to use his winnings for a down payment on a house, he said, citing a practical step toward stability.
Per NCLottery.com, his story showcases the thrill of Cash 5, a game that delivers daily chances to win big. Players can join the excitement for just $1, with options like Double Play and EZ Match adding extra ways to win. For Hodge, a simple ticket became a game-changer.
Basically, Hodge's win proves that fortune can strike anywhere, even on the road.
The North Carolina lottery website went all in on selling Cash 5. "Carolina Cash 5 is North Carolina's rolling jackpot game that gives you a chance to win every night of the week," the website reads. "For just $1, you get a shot at jackpots that start at $100,000 and it keeps climbing until somebody wins it all. Add Double Play for $1 and your Cash 5 numbers are entered into a second drawing for a chance to win additional prizes. And that's not all! Add EZ Match for $1 a play and you could win up to $500 instantly. A draw game with an instant-win feature? Yes, we did!"
