Lucky Georgia player wins $1 million

Drawing Date: 12/17/2013

December 18, 2013 - Jesse Whitley, 30, of Bethlehem, Ga., matched the first five numbers from the Dec. 17 Mega Millions drawing to win a $1 million prize.

Whitley, an air conditioning and heating repairman, set a reminder on his phone to purchase a ticket for Tuesday night’s drawing.

He checked his numbers online Wednesday morning and realized he had a winning ticket. He shared the good news with his wife.

“She didn’t believe me when I told her,” he said. “She still doesn’t believe me.”

Whitley purchased his lucky Quik Pik ticket at CITGO Food Mart, 529 Patrick Mill Road S.W. in Winder.

Whitley, a married father of one with a second child on the way, says he and his wife have not yet decided what they will do with the big win.