Michigan man wins $1 million Mega Millions prize

Drawing Date: 5/27/2016

June 1, 2016 - A simple mistake turned out to be very lucky for a Niles, Mich., man who won a $1 million Mega Millions prize from the Michigan Lottery.

Richard Hopper Sr., 69, matched the five white balls drawn – 18-41-50-68-70 – in Friday’s drawing to win the $1 million prize. He bought his winning ticket at the Sunrise Sunset Party Store, located at 1009 Huntly Road in Niles.

“When I stopped to buy my Mega Millions ticket, the clerk said he had accidentally printed an easy pick for another player who didn’t want the ticket, and asked if I wanted to buy it or if I wanted another ticket,” said Hopper. “I decided to buy the ticket that had already been printed off and boy, am I glad I did.”

When Hopper checked his ticket Saturday morning, he thought he’d won $100,000.

“When I was looking at the winning numbers, I remember thinking ‘boy, those look familiar,’” said Hopper. “At first I thought I had won $100,000 and I was pleasantly surprised when I learned I had really won $1 million.

“Sitting on $1 million all weekend was nerve wracking. It was definitely the longest weekend I’ve ever had.”

Hopper visited Lottery headquarters in Lansing on Wednesday to claim his prize. With his winnings, he plans to pay off bills and save the remainder for a rainy day.