$1 million lottery ticket nearly thrown out by N.C. woman

by · UPI

June 17 (UPI) -- A North Carolina woman said she was preparing to throw out a scratch-off lottery ticket when she decided to scan it and discovered it was a $1 million winner.

Hendersonville resident Melissa Johnson told North Carolina Education Lottery officials she initially thought the $10 Loteria Multiplier ticket she bought from Rock Convenience on Chimney Rock Road in Hendersonville was a non-winner.

Johnson said she was able to throw the ticket away, but decided to scan it to double-check that it was a dud.

The ticket turned out to be a $1 million winner.

"My heart was beating so fast," Johnson said. "I started screaming."

Johnson said she will share her prize money with her family.

"I worked so hard in my life," Johnson said. "I never thought this would happen."

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