Pit Stop Turns Into $4 Million Win For Tolland CT Lottery Player

TOLLAND, CT — A larger-than-expected trailer tow was the reason a Tolland man had to go to a different gas station on his way to work, a decision that ultimately led to him to becoming $4 million richer though the CT Lottery.

A resident named "Phil" was on his way to a job site when he stopped for gas at a Gulf station that could accommodate his trailer. That rainy Friday morning, he purchased a ticket for the CT Lottery's $4,000,000 Fortune scratch game.

After leaving the Gulf station, Phil arrived at work early and decided to pass the time before going on the clock.

"I had a half hour to kill before we clocked in, so I scratched the ticket. It said $4,000,000 and I started shaking," he recalled. "I scanned the QR code and everything was legit. I just kept shaking ... I couldn’t believe it. I was a millionaire."

Phil purchased the winning ticket at Gulf Convenience Mart on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Cheshire. Mini Jacob, the store manager, says she was thrilled when she found out one of her customers won the big prize. "I love celebrating their wins and hearing their success stories."

For selling the winning ticket, the store will receive a $40,000 bonus — one of the many benefits of being a CT Lottery retail partner.

The winner says he plans to invest his winnings and is also looking into taking a vacation.
Phil also says he then continued with his workday as scheduled.