Woman who bought Mega Millions ticket at Woodland Hills gas station claims $426 million jackpot
A woman who bought a $20 Mega Millions ticket at a Woodland Hills gas station is the winner of a $426 million jackpot, the largest jackpot won in the state so far this year, lottery officials said this week.
Kristine Wellenstein purchased the winning ticket at a Chevron station, 6061 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Woodland Hills. Her $20 ticket was the only one in the country to match all six numbers in the Jan. 28 draw, beating 1 in 302,575,350 odds.
"When I realized I'd won, I was overcome with so many emotions, but mostly gratitude," she said in a statement.
Wellenstein, who has opted to take her winnings as a lump sum, says she does not plan on speaking publicly. Through lottery officials, she says she plans to be a good steward of her sudden windfall.
"I want to give back and support local and global-based initiatives, and my team is in place to help achieve those objectives," Wellenstein said in her statement. "The real impact of my life's work begins now."
The station that sold the winning ticket will also get a maximum $1 million bonus. The Mega Millions is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
