CORBIN, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Corbin man’s stop for gas took an unexpected turn when he bought a scratch-off ticket.

Kentucky Lottery officials said Michael Schlemmer was in need of gas when he stopped at Convenient Food Mart on Highway 25 West in Corbin.    

“I ran out of gas, and I coasted in there,” he said. “I had $40 bucks on me and bought $20 worth of gas and bought a ticket.” I scratched it off and I looked at it and went back in the store. I showed the girls that sold it to me, and they about had a fit. The owners of the store were there, and they both started grinning.”

As Schlemmer scratched the $20 “Luck” ticket, he revealed the automatic symbol, meaning he had won the $1,000,000 top prize. 

“Nothing went through my mind,” Schlemmer said. “I just got up and went back in the store and showed it to them.  Until I get the check in my hand, I don’t believe it.”

Schlemmer drove to Kentucky Lottery headquarters and left with a check for $616,330 after taxes.

Schlemmer said he plans on purchasing a new vehicle with his winnings and putting the rest in the bank.