Merritt flood victim won $125,000 on a scratcher

A Merritt woman's luck has turned around.

Cindy Petroczi scored the top prize of $1250,000 when she was playing a Treasure Tree ticket she purchased at the local Walmart, according to a media release from the B.C. Lottery Corporation issued today, Jan. 27.

“I decided to treat myself to a ticket and was at the store and thought, ‘Holy crap is this real?’” she said in the release.

Her husband was the first person to hear the news.

“I was in tears when I called him. I couldn’t believe it. Then he asked if I needed an escort home.”

Petroczi, who was impacted by severe flooding in Merritt, will be spending some of her prize money on helping her family and replacing items that were lost.

She is also planning to go on vacation with some of the winnings.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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