JACKSONVILLE, NC – A Jacksonville resident and United States Marine had a stroke of luck when he purchased the last available $20 “Set for Life” scratch-off ticket from a Circle K gas station while paying for fuel.

Steven-Seth River Daugherty, a 20 year old United States Active Duty Marine, Steven was paying for gas when he caught a glimpse of the scratch off tickets. He stated, “I’ve always had luck with these things, every time I’ve ever bought one, I’ve at least won my money back I spent plus some.”

Steven waited until he got to scratch off the ticket. While scratching he saw a match with the number 16 and the word “Life” under it. This mean he had won the Jackpot. After finding out, he recalled screaming for joy.

“I started laughing and dancing all around the room and immediately went outside, got in my car and returned back to the gas station to find out how to claim it,” Steven stated.

Even though the Jackpot prize was initially for $20 Million, He opted for a lump sum of $14,686,575. Steven still plans to remain in the United States Marines to re-enlist and the fact that he loves his job in artillery.

When asked what will he do with the money Steven stated, “I plan on helping my family out, investing in personal and friends business ideas and donating to organizations such as NMCRS, homeless shelters, Boys and Girls club and so on.”

“I am still in shocked that I won this type of money off of a scratch-off. I feel very blessed and happy that I actually listened to that inner voice for once. The fact that I almost didn’t stop to get gas from being tired from driving really made me realize, all things do happen for a reason.”

Steven is due to pick up the check to deposit in the bank Monday, April 24th, 2017 at 9:30 am. Our news network will be covering this story live. There has never been a person to win such a high amount on a scratch-off ticket in this county or surrounding counties.

With everything that is going on with the world and military, we want to wish Steven luck in his future endeavors and thank him and each and every other Armed Forces personnel out in the fleet and war zone for their service, from our faculty and staff over here at Channel 22 News.