Tallulah Resident Hits the Big Easy 5 Jackpot

With an early morning phone call from his youngest son, Tallulah resident Fred Washington learned that the Easy 5 jackpot had been hit in his area Jan. 3, just the night before. The long-time Louisiana Lottery player quickly checked his numbers and realized he bought the jackpot-winning ticket worth $183,337!

“I first thought ‘Wow! Thank God!’ then called my wife, who didn’t answer,” Washington said, before his wife Harriet of 32 years chimed in, “Because I was pulling in the driveway!” After telling her the great news, the winner also made sure to call his mom and then his uncle in Illinois who replied “Man, you’re always lucky!”

The father of three and grandfather of 10 purchased his winning ticket at Tallulah Truck Stop located on Highway 65 South. The store will receive a one-time bonus of $1,833.37, which is one percent of the prize, for selling the jackpot-winning ticket. The winning numbers for the Jan. 3 drawing were 06-08-19-31-34.

Washington claimed his prize at the Lottery’s Baton Rouge headquarters Jan. 5 and received $128,335.90 after state and federal tax withholdings. The 55-year-old plans to use his winnings to make a donation to his church and also pay off bills. 

Lottery ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. Draw-style game tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. Anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem should call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help.

For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing. More information about Easy 5 and other jackpot winners can be found on the Lottery’s website, www.louisianalottery.com/easy-5.