Rochester teen Matthew Carter, 18, didn't know it would be be his lucky day when he unknowingly bought a winning lottery ticket.
It was Friday, Aug. 30 when and he went to Kwik Fill, on North Washington Street in East Rochester, where his brother needed to pick up his paycheck. Carter decided to tag along before going to his part-time roofing job.
While waiting inside, he bought an instant Lotto scratch-off from a machine. He won $10, which he used to buy a $100 Million Spectacular ticket.
It turned out to be the most life changing purchase he'd ever make.
"That's one hell of a reinvestment," he said with a laugh.
He took the ticket into the car as his brother drove. Moments later, he stared back at it in shock.
Carter didn't go to work that day. After calling his mother, he and his brother went directly to the Customer Service Center in Rochester to claim his prize.
"I didn't really believe it at first," he said. "It's still setting in."
He received his big check on Friday, Sept. 28 at Kwik Fill. Smiling, he said he's still trying to figure out how to spend the money. He will be getting a net check for $99,270 a year through 2031.
Carter was formerly a student at John Marshall High School, but never graduated. He now plans to finish school and study mechanics somewhere in New York State.
Although a Cadillac Escalade and a trip to Disney World are on his wish list, Carter says he'll be hiring a financial adviser to help manage the winnings.
Months before, he worked at the same Kwik Fill station, where his father and brother also worked. District manager Steve Burnley said he was thrilled to hear about Matthew's good fortune.
"I was very excited for him," he said. "I shook his hand before he was a millionaire. Now, I'll have to shake it again," he chuckled.
Carter has two brothers and one sister, and lives at home. While the experience of winning the Lottery has been "mind boggling" so far, he looks forward to seeing what the future will bring.
"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "It definitely does."
Rochester teen Matthew Carter, 18, didn't know it would be be his lucky day when he unknowingly bought a winning lottery ticket.
It was Friday, Aug. 30 when and he went to Kwik Fill, on North Washington Street in East Rochester, where his brother needed to pick up his paycheck. Carter decided to tag along before going to his part-time roofing job.
While waiting inside, he bought an instant Lotto scratch-off from a machine. He won $10, which he used to buy a $100 Million Spectacular ticket.
It turned out to be the most life changing purchase he'd ever make.
"That's one hell of a reinvestment," he said with a laugh.
He took the ticket into the car as his brother drove. Moments later, he stared back at it in shock.
Carter didn't go to work that day. After calling his mother, he and his brother went directly to the Customer Service Center in Rochester to claim his prize.
"I didn't really believe it at first," he said. "It's still setting in."
He received his big check on Friday, Sept. 28 at Kwik Fill. Smiling, he said he's still trying to figure out how to spend the money. He will be getting a net check for $99,270 a year through 2031.
Carter was formerly a student at John Marshall High School, but never graduated. He now plans to finish school and study mechanics somewhere in New York State.
Although a Cadillac Escalade and a trip to Disney World are on his wish list, Carter says he'll be hiring a financial adviser to help manage the winnings.
Months before, he worked at the same Kwik Fill station, where his father and brother also worked. District manager Steve Burnley said he was thrilled to hear about Matthew's good fortune.
"I was very excited for him," he said. "I shook his hand before he was a millionaire. Now, I'll have to shake it again," he chuckled.
Carter has two brothers and one sister, and lives at home. While the experience of winning the Lottery has been "mind boggling" so far, he looks forward to seeing what the future will bring.
"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "It definitely does."
