Fayetteville woman on $200,000 win: “I started seeing zeros”

A family celebration broke out Saturday at the home of Fayetteville resident Jessica Cruse after a $5 scratch-off won her a $200,000 top prize.

“My daughter was screaming,” she laughed.

Cruse admitted that it took some time for her to process the big win.

“I started seeing zeros and I was in shock,” she recalled. “I still don’t think it has hit me yet.”

Cruse bought her lucky Double Your Money ticket from Tiger Mart on Raeford Road in Fayetteville.

She arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to claim her prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $144,021.

Cruse said she plans to use the money to buy a new car, likely a Honda or Toyota, and provide for her family.

The Double Your Money game debuted in August with five top prizes of $200,000. One $200,000 prize remains to be claimed.