ALBUQUERQUE – While waiting for an order of hamburgers Wednesday, Maria Ornelas walked to a nearby gas station and bought a $10 New Mexico Lottery Scratcher. Before her lunch even arrived, the 68-year-old Loving woman was $100,000 richer.
“I started to scratch and I saw $100 and then another zero and another zero and another zero,” Ornelas recalled for lottery officials in Albuquerque. “I’m still in shock.”
The homemaker yesterday claimed the last top prize from the lottery’s “$100,000 Jumbo Bucks” game. Ornelas said the prize is bound for the bank.
“I’m very contented,” she said. After a moment of reflection, Ornelas said she and husband Alberto might splurge on dinner out to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary later this month.
Ornelas purchased the Scratcher at Fiesta Chevron No. 27 at 1725 S. Canal in Carlsbad. This retailer has sold 14 other large prize-winning lottery tickets ranging between $1,000 and $20,000.
Last month, six Carlsbad residents claimed top-tier lottery prizes. Scratcher players Kimberly Garrison won $5,000 while Derenda Windham, Alma Bruton, Ernie Sanders and Patricia Larez won $1,000 each. Teresa Foster won $5,000 playing Roadrunner Cash.
