Kentucky man claims $2 million in Powerball drawing

A Kentucky man from Marshall County has claimed the largest prize won in Saturday’s Powerball drawing.

Rickie Melton’s winning ticket matched the five white ball numbers but not the Powerball number to win the game’s second prize of $1 million. He added the Power Play option to the ticket, doubling the prize to $2 million.

Melton purchased the winning ticket from the vending machine at the Walmart in Benton on West Fifth Street as a quick pick.

Melton and his wife, Karen, made the trip to lottery headquarters yesterday morning to claim a $2 million Powerball ticket.

“It’s been nerve-wracking knowing we’ve won and having to hold on to the ticket until Wednesday,” Melton said.

He told officials he was sitting in his driveway getting ready to leave for breakfast on Sunday morning when he reached in the console of his truck and pulled out his Powerball tickets to check from Saturday night’s drawing.

He soon realized he had the winning numbers as he checked his very last ticket.

The western Kentucky couple walked away with a check for $1.42 million after taxes. They told officials they already have an appointment with a financial planner and will invest some of their winnings. They also plan to take an Alaskan cruise and buy a new car.