Brian Hopson of LaSalle thought he won $100,000 playing INSTANT CROSSWORD EXTREME, but he was wrong.
The retired great-grandfather said his heart stopped when he realized he had scratched off 11 words and won $350,000 instead.
"I got in my truck and flew back to the store," he told officials at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. "I had the retailer check it, and the 'Big Winner' message came up. It was one heck of a rush! It hit me like a ton of bricks!"
Hopson has won the lottery before, but not $350,000.
He was thrilled to share the news with his wife.
"She gave me a big hug and asked, 'What will we do with this money," he recalled. "My plan is to help my wife be able to retire and pay off bills."
INSTANT CROSSWORD EXTREME sells for $30 a ticket, and $350,000 is the top prize.
Hopson bought his ticket at the Canadian Tire on Dougall Avenue in Windsor.
