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A routine visit with an extraordinary twist
What started as a straightforward trip to visit his daughter in North Carolina turned into a life-changing moment for Pennsylvania resident Stanley Konat. On his way to Rural Hall, he made a quick stop at a Pick & Go store and picked up a Cash 5 lottery ticket — a casual decision that ultimately delivered a $410,432 jackpot.
Quick Pick, life-changing numbers
Konat opted for the Quick Pick option, letting the system randomly select his numbers: 1, 19, 24, 26, and 39. All five matched, beating odds of approximately 1 in 962,598. The win took place on January 5, 2026, though Konat only made his way to the North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters in Raleigh to claim the prize on March 9 — more than two months after the ticket was purchased.
Taking home nearly $300K
Choosing to collect his winnings as a lump sum, and after state and local taxes were applied, Konat walked away with $295,553 — a very healthy return on what was, by all accounts, an impulse purchase made during a family visit.
It is the kind of win that turns an ordinary road trip into a story worth telling for a lifetime.
