Donald Lawson, right, a 44-year-old Lapeer, Mich. resident, laughs with his mother at a news conference in which he claimed the $337 million Powerball prize on Friday at the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo)
(AP) - Donald Lawson says the first thing he bought after winning the third-largest Powerball jackpot ever was a pack of bubble gum.
Lawson, a 44-year-old Lapeer resident, said Friday at a news conference in which he claimed the $337 million prize that it wasn't long before he quit his job as a railroad engineer. Lawson, a self-described "hillbilly" who grew up in Fort Smith, Ark., said he also told several family members to retire.
Standing alongside three family members, Lawson described the moment he learned his life was about to change, when he checked the ticket he bought at a local Sunoco gas station for the Aug. 15 drawing.
"I started reading backwards, and I kinda lost my breath," Lawson said, noting that he hid the winning ticket inside a Bible, under a couch and atop a refrigerator before it ultimately landed in the bank.
The winning numbers were 6, 27, 46, 51, 56 and Powerball 21.
Lawson, who has two daughters, opted to take a lump-sum payment of $224.6 million. He said he doesn't know yet what he'll do with the money, but he plans to travel and continue living a "simple life."
"I'm going to escape for now, and go somewhere safe," he said, adding that he plans to move from Lapeer, a city about 45 miles north of Detroit where he's lived for the past decade.
Lawson said the jackpot winnings won't last long if he isn't careful, joking about the government immediately claiming its share in taxes.
"I'm kinda pissed at Uncle Sam," he quipped.
The gas station that sold the winning ticket will get a $50,000 bonus, Michigan Lottery officials said.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:35:27 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine certified a summary
A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters.
Friday, May 17 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-17 19:18:22 GMT
AKRON, Ohio (AP) - The University of Akron says an officer fatally shot a 64-year-old man during a traffic stop after he produced what later was determined to be a BB pistol. The Summit County Medical
The University of Akron says an officer fatally shot a 64-year-old man during a traffic stop after he produced what later was determined to be a BB pistol.
Officials in Akron say the city's website and internal systems have been hacked - and names, Social Security numbers and credit card numbers were compromised.
Officials in Akron say the city's website and internal systems have been hacked - and names, Social Security numbers and credit card numbers were compromised.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:44:10 GMT
A Detroit business is under federal investigation for allegedly paying workers with crack cocaine. It's called Big C's Tire Shop on Mac Avenue in Detroit, and word on the street was the "C" stood for crack
A Detroit business is under federal investigation for allegedly paying workers with crack cocaine.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:12:55 GMT
$600 million dollars is up for grabs in Saturday's big Powerball drawing. It's the highest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history, and most expect it'll get even bigger by Saturday night.
$600 million dollars is up for grabs in Saturday's big Powerball drawing. It's the highest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history, and most expect it'll get even bigger by Saturday night.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:06:39 GMT
The woman charged with shaking and injuring her infant son was back in court Friday, and angry protestors were there to greet her. Residents gathered outside the Wood County Common Pleas Court wearing
The woman charged with shaking and injuring her infant son was back in court Friday, and angry protestors were there to greet her.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:57:13 GMT
Leaders at Lucas County Children Services say the need for foster and adoptive parents across the region is great. The agency is responding to community demand by adding more information and training
Leaders at Lucas County Children Services say the need for foster and adoptive parents across the region is great. The agency is responding to community demand by adding more information and training classes for people interested in fostering or adopting.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:35:27 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine certified a summary
A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:36:58 GMT
An Adrian man, who appeared in federal court wearing a wig and women's clothing, is charged with having hundreds of pictures of child pornography. The case has many asking: Where were the pictures taken,
An Adrian man who appeared in federal court wearing a wig and women's clothing, is charged with having hundreds of pictures of child pornography. The case has many asking: Were any local children put at risk?
Friday, May 17 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:06:53 GMT
An 11 week old baby was stabbed to death in Sandusky Thursday night. Police say the suspect is the newborn's 19-year-old cousin. The community is in shock. Residents say they're sick to their stomachs
An 11-week-old baby was stabbed to death in Sandusky Thursday night. Sandusky Police say the suspect is the newborn's 19-year-old cousin Denzel Castile.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:14 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:14:50 GMT
An Ottawa County Judge has decided to reinstate Terry Camp Kruse Drivers license. She is the repeat DUI offender who killed 14 year old Ronnie Miller in 1993. Kruse served a 10-year prison sentence for
An Ottawa County judge reinstated the driver's license for Terry Camp Kruse. She is a repeat DUI offender who admitted to hitting and killing a 14-year-old while driving drunk in 1993.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:59 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:59:24 GMT
A South Toledo man appeared at Lucas County Municipal Court Friday on two misdemeanors. It all started Wednesday night when the man repeated called 9-1-1 because a neighbor's dog was barking. Timothy
Timothy Henneman was arrested for improper use of emergency services and disorderly conduct. It all started Wednesday night when the man repeated called 9-1-1 because a neighbor's dog was barking.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:37:34 GMT
In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little
In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:41 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:41:33 GMT
Star 105 gave away 500 gallons of free gas Friday. Cars lined up at the Valero station on Holland-Sylvania. If you missed out on the giveaway, you'll have some more chances to get some free gas. Just
Star 105 gave away 500 gallons of free gas Friday. Cars lined up at the Valero station on Holland-Sylvania.
Donald Lawson, right, a 44-year-old Lapeer, Mich. resident, laughs with his mother at a news conference in which he claimed the $337 million Powerball prize on Friday at the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo)
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