Downsville Man Claims $250,000 Mega Millions Prize

In a case of beginner's luck, 56-year-old Donald Clark of Downsville claimed a $250,000 prize on the first Mega Millions ticket he ever purchased.  Clark, one of several big winners from the record-breaking $656 million Mega Millions drawing held March 30, claimed his prize at the Louisiana Lottery's Monroe office last week.

With so much buzz surrounding the record-high jackpot, Clark decided to pick up a few Mega Millions tickets from the Cypress Street U-Pak-It on Cypress Street in West Monroe.

"I felt weak in the knees," said Clark, after realizing he won a second-tier Mega Millions prize. He may be a first-time player, but Clark already knows just what to do with the winnings-pay off his home.

Clark's ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers, but missed the yellow Mega Ball number, to win $250,000. The winning numbers for the March 30 drawing were 02-04-23-38-46 and the Mega Ball was 23. Clark received $175,000 after federal and state taxes were withheld.

The Mega Millions jackpot for the March 30 drawing was $656 million, with a cash value of $473 million, also a world record. Jackpot-winning tickets were sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland. Louisiana players won $1,546,842 in the drawing, including another $250,000 winning ticket in Baton Rouge, one $30,000 Megaplier winner and 11 winners of $10,000. 

Cypress Street U-Pak-It will receive a selling bonus of $2,500, or 1 percent of the prize, for selling Clark his winning ticket.

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.