Navy Yeoman Misses $448 Million Powerball Jackpot by 1 Number

The holder of one of two tickets sold in San Diego County that matched five numbers in Wednesday's Powerball drawing was identified Friday as a retired Navy yeoman.

Gloria Lawson said she purchased the ticket with $2 that was found by her 8-year-old son, who chose the numbers 58, 5, 25, 59 and 30.

She bought the ticket at the Ralphs grocery store at 5680 Mission Center Road. She and her son missed the Powerball number 32, but their ticket was still good enough to win about $289,000.

"I saw the numbers and I couldn't believe it so I woke up my 8-year-old and had him read them to me again," she said.

Lawson, who said her mother has always told her she is lucky, also called a friend to double-check the numbers.

She told lottery officials she would use the prize winnings to pay off some bills and take the boy on a Disney cruise.

"I'd like to do something nice for him," Lawson said.

A ticket purchased at a 7-Eleven at 2425 Sweetwater Road in National City also matched five numbers but not the Powerball, one of nine in California to do so. The holder has not come forward, according to lottery officials.

Two tickets sold in New Jersey and another in Minnesota matched all the numbers drawn for the $448 million jackpot.

–City News Service