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Ohio man and toddler daughter were severely injured during Fourth of July parade nearly a decade ago
Identified only by his first name, Duane won the $500K scratch-off ticket prize
An Ohio man who survived a devastating Fourth of July parade accident has just won the $500K Ohio Lottery jackpot.
For privacy concerns, the individual is only being reported by his first name, Duane. He's a Freemont, Ohio resident who purchased a scratch-off ticket after work.
According to the Ohio Lottery, the player started revealing symbols from the top of the ticket before suddenly uncovering the game’s $500,000 top prize.
“I looked at it for a long time,” Duane said in a statement released by lottery officials. “At first, I thought something was wrong.”
The winner said he eventually secured the ticket in a safe after realizing the prize was real.
Lottery officials confirmed that Duane and his 18-month daughter sustained traumatic injuries during a Fourth of July parade accident after being struck by an antique tow truck. That incident, which occurred nearly ten years ago, seriously injured a number of other bystanders.
The accident led to multiple heart attacks, the loss of his job, and severe financial struggles for the family, according to the Ohio Lottery.
Despite the difficulties, Duane said he always considered himself fortunate simply because both he and his daughter survived.
He said that so many people have helped him throughout the years that he is looking forward to finally being able to return the favor.
After 26.75% mandatory federal and state taxes, he will receive about about $366,000.
$120 billion and $127 billion globally was taken in at online lotteries, though these figures do not even include the significant number of lottery sites and those gaming sites that feature lottery draws not necessarily regulated by a particular jurisdiction.
While Ohio itself does not offer an online lottery, neighboring Illinois reported $702 million in online lottery sales last year alone.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
