‘I couldn’t control myself’: Johnston County man follows lucky feeling to $10 million lottery win

Note: The accompanying video explains lottery odds in North Carolina.

CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. (WNCN) – A Johnston County man played the odds and won big with a life-changing stroke of luck on Wednesday night, purchasing a $50 scratch-off that revealed a $10 million top prize.

Jeremy Wilson of Willow Spring bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from North River Tobacco Barn on Caratoke Highway in the Outer Banks community of Jarvisburg.

“I only buy $50 tickets when I’m feeling lucky,” Wilson said.

Directly after the purchase, he scratched the ticket inside the store.

“It was a crazy feeling,” Wilson said when recalling his winning moment. “I couldn’t control myself.”

The 20-year-old said he told his mom right away.

“She thought I was joking,” he laughed.

This marks the third $10 million win in North Carolina so far this year.

When he arrived to collect his winnings at the North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Thursday, Wilson had a decision to make.

His options? Wilson could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $500,000 per year over 20 years, or a lump sum of $6 million.

He opted for the lump sum, taking home $4,305,014 after required state and federal tax withholdings.

Wilson said he plans to take his mom on a trip for her birthday and save the rest of his winnings.

The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December 2023 with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Since Wilson won the last $10 million top prize, the lottery will begin the process of ending the game.