When Derrick Harrell stopped for gas in Portage on his way home to Inkster, he had no idea his life was about to change.
Harrell, 46, said he usually plays Powerball once a week, and he matched the five white balls -- 06-24-35-37-44 -- in the Aug. 24 lottery drawing to win the million-dollar prize. He purchased the ticket at the Meijer gas station, located at 8994 Shaver Road in Portage.
“The day after the drawing, I checked the winning numbers online and saw that I'd matched five,” said Harrell. “When I realized the prize for matching five white balls was $1 million, I was in shock. Winning big still feels unreal.” He recently claimed his prize at the Michigan Lottery headquarters and said that with his winnings, he plans to help his family and then save the rest.
