Northwest Iowa Man Stunned after $20,000 Mega Millions® Win
Estuardo Gomez Diaz Wins Big in Friday's Drawing
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CLIVE, Iowa - A northwest Iowa man said he was at a loss for words after winning a $20,000 Mega Millions® prize.
"I'm overwhelmed with happiness and joy," Estuardo Gomez Diaz said on Monday as he claimed his prize at the lottery's Storm Lake regional office.
Gomez, 52, of Le Mars, matched four of five white balls and the Mega Ball in Friday's drawing. He was just one number away from winning that night's $862 million jackpot.
He bought his easy-pick ticket at Kwik Star, 321 Fifth Ave. SW in Le Mars. His initial $10,000 prize was doubled because he opted for the $1 Megaplier® at the time of purchase, which multiplies non-jackpot prize amounts by up to five times.
"I was on my way to do a little Christmas shopping yesterday and I decided to check my numbers," said Gomez, who stopped at a local retailer to check his ticket. "When I scanned it, I saw the number and I just froze!"
He quickly called across the store to his son, who rushed over to verify the win.
"I said, 'I think I won!'" Gomez recalled with a laugh. "He said, 'Yeah, you did!'"
Gomez said he plans to put his winnings toward improvements and new furniture for his home. He's also considering a trip back to his native Guatemala.
And with his big win coming just days before Christmas, Gomez said it's a holiday season he will always remember.
"It was the most happy experience of my life," he said.
The winning numbers in Friday's drawing were 2-20-51-56-67 and Mega Ball 19. The Megaplier was 2.
Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot now stands at an estimated $1 billion, the seventh largest in the game's history.
Players in $2 Mega Millions choose their first five numbers from a pool of 70, and another number - called the Mega Ball - from a separate pool of 25.
For more information about the game, visit ialottery.com.
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