A fortunate Sarasota county man wins $1 million recently in mega millions

A Sarasota County man is $1 million richer after a lucky run to the grocery store last year.

The Florida Lottery said 66-year-old David Dowell claimed the prize from the Nov. 1, 2022, Mega Millions drawing. He was just one number away from the massive $87 million jackpot matching all five white ball numbers but not the Mega Ball number.

The winning numbers were 5-9-15-16-17 and Mega Ball 25. Dowell bought the winning ticket from Publix on South Sumter Boulevard in North Port.

The store will receive a $1,00 bonus. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are slim, but there are some lucky stores in Florida that have sold multiple winning tickets over the years.