One winning $430 million Powerball ticket sold in NJ

Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J.

Marcelo Chilel said the convenience store where he works in New Jersey's capital city does a steady lottery business, with more people showing up when the jackpots get big. One of the people that came this past week is now holding one of the largest winning tickets in the history of Powerball.

Only one ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday night's drawing for a $429.6 million jackpot, said Powerball spokeswoman Kelly Cripe, and New Jersey lottery officials said Sunday it was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Trenton. The winning Powerball numbers were 5-25-26-44-66 and the Powerball number was 9.

"We have never had a winning ticket this big, not even close," said Chilel, adding that his colleagues are amazed that it happened. "It's great that they got it here."

The ticket holder did not immediately come forward to claim the prize.

Chilel said that when he heard the ticket was sold in Mercer County, he thought it would be great if it was sold at the store where he works. And when he found out that was the case, he says he felt very happy for the customer.

New Jersey lottery officials were also ecstatic about the news.

"Winning the Powerball jackpot is a life-changing event. Congratulations to the ticketholder(s) and to the retailer who sold it," New Jersey Lottery executive director Carole Hedinger said in a statement. "We expect that the winner or winners will take their time before claiming the prize and consult with the appropriate professionals that can assist them in navigating these unchartered waters. Certainly though, we will be anxiously awaiting the phone call."