UTICA, N.Y. -- A 49-year-old Oneida County man said winning $5 million on a New York Lottery scratch-off ticket is a chance to change his life.

“It’s a dream come true," said Michael Shepard, of Utica.

Shepard won the top prize on the “100X the Cash” scratch-off ticket, which he purchased at the Price Chopper on Genesee Street. The ticket costs $20.

New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega presented Shepard with a ceremonial check this morning at the Utica grocery store.

Shepard purchased his jackpot winning ticket during a routine stop.

“I stop every Friday to cash my paycheck,” Shepard said in a news release. “While I was there I bought the ticket out of the vending machine.”

Shepard said it didn’t immediately sink in at first that he won.

“I think my friends were more excited than I was," he said.

Shepard said he called his financial adviser for advice before taking the ticket to the lottery office to claim the prize.

The $5 million prize will be paid in a one-time lump sum payment. Shepard will receive a net check totaling $3,359,000 after required withholdings, according to the lottery.

Shepard said he plans to listen to his investment adviser and be smart with his newfound riches, but he does have plans for some of the money.

“I do plan to take a vacation somewhere warm in the near future,” he said.

According to the latest game report from the New York State Lottery, the “100X the Cash” scratch-off ticket still has four unclaimed top prize tickets. There are also 34 unclaimed second-prize tickets worth $25,000 each.