ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — Some days it's a battle to hop in your car and head to the grocery store, but for one St. Pete man, it was the best decision he ever made.
Albert Pike, 67, headed out to a Publix in South Pasadena to pick up some items, and while there decided to buy a Florida Lottery "THE FASTEST ROAD TO $1,000,000" scratch-off ticket.
Turns out it was the "fastest road" as he claimed the top prize of $1 million.
Pike was facing some tough decisions on how to take care of his family, according to a news release. Winning helped alleviate some of that worry.
“When I got home and saw the winning numbers, I couldn’t believe it. I knew right then that I wouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for the things we need,” he said.
The Florida Lottery says Pike chose to receive his winnings in a one-time lump sum payment of $790,000. The Publix retailer will receive a $2,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.
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