Knightdale couple cashes $1 million lottery ticket

“I did what I always do – put the groceries away,” Carroll said. “Then, when I scratched the ticket and saw the amount, I said, ‘That can’t be real.’”

But it was. Carroll called her husband, Ricky, to share the good news.

“I said, ‘Are you sitting down?’” she said. “I just wanted to tell you I think I won $1 million!”

Carroll had the option of $50,000 a year for 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose to take the money up front, and, after taxes cashed a check for $415,509.

Ricky Carroll, retired after 35 years of driving tractor trailers, said the couple would use the prize money to pay off their mortgage. 

Each is also looking at a new vehicle.

“We had already been talking about getting a new car for her,” he said. “And I might buy a horse trailer.”