Central Iowa Man Wins $20,000 Lottery Prize
Aaron McDermott Claims Big Prize in Lotto America Game
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CLIVE, Iowa - A central Iowa man delivered an early-morning wakeup call to his wife to tell her he'd won a $20,000 Lotto America® prize.
"She was still in bed when I called," Aaron McDermott told officials on Tuesday as he claimed his prize at lottery headquarters in Clive. "I heard her scream, 'You won what?' I said, 'Yeah!'"
McDermott, 50, of Altoona, matched all five white balls but missed the Star Ball® in Monday's drawing. He was one number away from winning that night's $35.88 million jackpot.
He purchased his winning easy-pick ticket at Kum & Go, 1430 First Ave. N. in Altoona. After checking his numbers Tuesday morning at work, he was so surprised, he started shaking. He kept the lucky ticket in a lanyard around his neck until he could leave work to claim his prize.
The winning numbers in Monday's Lotto America drawing were 2-17-21-22-26 and Star Ball 10. No one won the jackpot, so Wednesday's jackpot stands at an estimated $36.07 million.
McDermott said he plans to use his winnings to pay bills and purchase a new bed.
Lotto America is a multi-state lottery game played in 13 states. The game's name is a throwback to the first multi-state lotto game known for big jackpots in the United States. For more information, visit ialottery.com.
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