Man credits unexpected gas price change for $1M lottery win

FLAT ROCK, N.C., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A North Carolina man said an unexpected change in the price of gas led him to the store where he purchased his $1 million winning lottery ticket.

Steven Tuttle of Flat Rock told North Carolina Lottery officials he stopped going to his local Ingles gas station due to high prices amid a recent gas shortage, but he turned around after driving past recently and noticing the price has dropped.

"I almost didn't stop," Tuttle said. "When I saw that the price of gas had dropped back down, I turned around."

Tuttle said he bought a $1,000,000 Bonus Cash scratch-off ticket for $10 while filling up his tank and he was so shocked to see that he had won the top prize that he stopped pumping fuel.

"I didn't know what to do," Tuttle said. "I got into my truck and locked the door. To think I came that close to not stopping."

Tuttle chose the $600,000 lump sum option, which came to $415,503 after federal and state taxes. He said he plans to use the windfall to pay off his house.