Lucky Save! Lottery Winner Nearly Discarded $1 Million Ticket

California (Thechieftainspear) –  A California man’s last-minute decision to check an old lottery ticket saved him from throwing away a life-changing $1 million prize.

Joaquin Vaughn Redo was on a trip through California with his family when they made a stop at a Pavilions grocery store on Newport Coast Drive in Newport Beach. As part of their long-standing tradition, he bought a Mega Millions ticket along with their groceries, hoping for a shot at the growing jackpot.

“When the prize is big, the whole family chips in—it’s just something we always do,” Vaughn Redo told the California Lottery.

However, after purchasing the ticket, the family forgot about it for two weeks. When Vaughn Redo rediscovered it, he was ready to toss it out, assuming it was worthless.

“I was literally about to throw it away,” he admitted. “I’ve never won anything before, so I didn’t think much of it.”

But when he checked the numbers, he was stunned. He had matched five out of six numbers in the August 16, 2024 drawing, only missing the Mega number—securing a $1 million prize.

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Instead of being discarded, the winning ticket will now help Vaughn Redo put a down payment on a home, according to lottery officials.

His win is part of a streak of recent lottery successes across California. Other lucky players include Jose Baltazar Campos, who scored a $1 million prize from a scratcher at B&K Market in Bellflower, and Jnel Erskine, who won after purchasing a ticket at a 7-Eleven in Huntington Beach. Royer Villatoro Lopez also joined the list of big winners after buying a ticket at Jade Video in Rowland Heights.

Additional million-dollar prizes were claimed in San Diego and Santa Clara counties, bringing total winnings from recent California Lottery games to over $6 million. The lottery organization reminds players that ticket sales contribute to funding public education programs across the state .

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Lailyah Duncan

Lailyah Duncan is an insightful writer at The Chieftain Spear, where she explores themes of culture, resilience, and community through compelling storytelling. Passionate about bringing diverse perspectives to light, Lailyah's work reflects a deep commitment to empowering voices and fostering meaningful conversations. With a talent for weaving narrative and purpose, she continues to inspire her readers with thought-provoking articles that celebrate heritage and advocate for positive change.

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