Kentucky woman’s grocery trip leads to $500,000 scratch-off win

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – A Hopkinsville woman is thousands of dollars richer after a stop for groceries turned into a Kentucky Lottery win.

The Kentucky Lottery says the winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, won $500,000 on a Kentucky Lottery Hot Money Multiplier Scratch-off ticket.

Lottery officials say she stated she is still trying to process the shock of the experience.

According to lottery officials, the winner shopped at Kroger on 1213 Skyline Drive instead of her usual store.

“I had a $20 ticket to cash in and thought, ‘Oh, forget it, I’ll grab one while I’m here,’” she said.

While scratching off the ticket, lottery officials say she learned she had won the $500,000 top prize.

“When I saw those three zeros, I froze. I couldn’t breathe. I was shaking, I couldn’t drive. I think I may have passed out,” she said laughing.

Overwhelmed, she called her husband, who initially feared something was wrong, lottery officials say.

“I was trying to sort out what was going on. She couldn’t talk, she just kept saying she couldn’t breathe,” her husband said. “Winning half a million dollars was the last thing I expected to hear.”

The couple visited Kentucky Lottery headquarters to claim her prize, $362,500 after taxes. She says she plans to continue working, but the winnings will provide “financial stability” for her family.

“I like to work and I’m able,” she said. “This money gives me breathing room. I’ll help my daughter and finally buy a new car – one I can pick out myself.”

The winner is a longtime lottery player, officials say, who previously won a $225,000 Cash Ball top prize in 2017.

Kroger will receive $5,000 for selling the winning ticket.