Southeast MI Man Wins $1M Powerball Prize

LAPEER COUNTY, MI — A Lapeer County man kicked off the new year with a $1 million Powerball prize from the Michigan Lottery, according to lottery officials.

Robert Benaglio, of Dryden, matched the five white balls (22-42-44-57-64) in the Dec. 23 drawing to win the big prize, according to lottery officials.

He bought his winning ticket at the Metamora BP, located at 3839 South Lapeer Road in Metamora, according to lottery officials.

"I have bought a Powerball ticket for one drawing each week for 10 years," Benaglio said. "I won the prize just before Christmas, but I didn’t know I was a big winner until I scanned the ticket on New Year's Eve. The only word I can use to describe the feeling of finding out you’ve won $1 million is shocking. I think it’s finally starting to hit me and I’m just now believing that this is real!"

With his winnings, he plans to pay off his vehicles, take a vacation and then save the remainder, according to lottery officials.

"I still plan to continue my weekly ritual of buying a Powerball ticket," Benaglio added. "I get $2 worth of daydreaming out of it each week, so why not?"