October 19, 2012 -- How lucky can one guy get?  Meet first time “Lucky for Life®” lottery player Derek Jurczewski of Newington whose “Quick Pick” ticket turned into a $25,000 prize win on October 11…and he didn’t even know it.

“I gave my ticket to the clerk to check and see if it was a winner,” Jurczewski told Lottery officials.  “When I heard the lottery terminal say ‘Congratulations,’ I thought maybe I won a few bucks.  The clerk asked me if I knew I had five winning numbers, but I didn’t.  That’s when she told me I won $25,000.  I couldn’t believe it at first.  I was in shock.”

On October 11, Jurczewski’s ticket missed matching the Lucky Ball number, which was 6, but matched the other five winning numbers drawn, 1 - 22 - 24 - 26 - 35.  Of the 23,739 winning tickets sold on that date, two, including Jurczewski’s, were a five number match for a $25,000 prize—the second highest prize in the game.  Lucky for Life’s top prize is worth a life-altering $1,000 a day, every day for life.

Jurczewski, who purchased his Lucky for Life prize winning ticket at Cumberland Farms #4748, located at 352 Scott Swamp Road in Farmington, arrived at Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill and claimed his prize check for $17,075 (value after taxes).  “I’m celebrating my 50th birthday next week…this is a pretty good birthday present,” Jurczewski said with a laugh.