LEXINGTON, S.C. — When they learned that a Powerball ticket worth nearly $400 million had been sold at a gas station across the road, workers at Econ-O-Bug Termite and Pest Control said they had a few big wishful dreams. But they didn’t have the prized ticket in their hands, so they came to work as usual Thursday.
“I sure didn’t win it,” said Jason Vannest, 32, of Lexington. He looked out the window at the buzz of activity at the Murphy USA gas station. “I’d be on vacation if I had, that’s for sure.”
The winner didn’t attend Thursday’s news conference at the gas station, and his or her identity remains a mystery.
“We have no idea who holds this ticket,” Lottery executive director Paula Harper Bethea said. She said winners in South Carolina do not have to come forward publicly.
Bethea said the winner chose a “quick pick” ticket, letting the computer select the numbers: 7-10-22-32-35, with the Powerball of 19. The actual value is $399.4 million, with a direct cash option of $233 million.
