SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Donald Smiley, of Cherokee, said he couldn’t fall asleep after he won a $150,000 Powerball prize, according to an NC Education Lottery news release.
“I was so excited, I didn’t even know what to do,” Smiley said. “I definitely couldn’t sleep.”
Smiley, a retired Army veteran, bought his winning $3 Quick Pick ticket from Catamount Travel Center on U.S. 441 North in Whittier.
He matched the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball in the Oct. 9 drawing to win $50,000. Because he bought a Power Play ticket, his prize tripled to $150,000 when the 3X multiplier hit.
“I was like, ‘Am I reading this right,’” Smiley said. “I’m still so excited.”
He arrived at lottery headquarters on Monday to claim his winnings
After required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $107,251.
Smiley said he plans to use his winnings to pay some bills.