Lottery winner resists temptation to run red lights on drive home in Mississauga

A Mississauga man who recently became one of the city’s newest millionaires thanks to a big lottery win said the drive home to tell his family about the life-changing development seemed to take forever.

John D., who’s 61 and self-employed, told Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) officials every red light made the otherwise short trip feel like an eternity.

Following his discovery on a Friday night that his ticket in the April 4 Lotto 6/49 draw was a $1-million Gold Ball Draw winner, the Mississauga man was eager to leave the gas station kiosk and share the news with his wife and three daughters, the OLG said in a news release on Thursday.

The lucky ticket holder had stopped to get gas when he remembered he had a lottery ticket to check.

“I scanned my ticket and thought there must be a glitch in the machine,” John recalled while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his winnings. “I checked it again and counted all the zeros. Then I turned to the guy behind me and said, ‘I think I won $1 million.’ The man said, ‘Wow! Congratulations.’ All the patrons in the gas station were thrilled for me.”

Under a new policy, the OLG is no longer revealing the surnames of major lottery winners in its news releases. However, big winners’ full names will still be listed on the OLG’s website.

When he arrived home, John quickly filled his family in on the big news.

“I told them to gather around because I had an announcement to make. Then I told my wife to open the text of the picture I just sent her. After she did, they were all roaring with excited laughter and disbelief,” he told OLG officials.

With his winnings, the Mississauga man said he plans to invest for the future and save for his daughters’ education.

“I’m Italian, but I’ve never been to Italy, so I’d love to take a family vacation there to explore it all,” he added.

The winning ticket was purchased at 7-Eleven, on Thomas Street in Mississauga.

(Cover photo: OLG)