TRENTON (Oct. 29, 2026) – An Ocean County carpenter claimed a $2 million Mega Millions prize after matching all five white balls in the Oct. 6 drawing. His ticket, purchased at the Country Food Market, 941 Route 9 in Bayville, came within one number of winning the $345 million jackpot.

The winner, a regular lottery player, purchased his tickets at Country Food Market, 941 Route 9 in Bayville. He usually checks the tickets the day after each drawing and restocks. Previous wins have never exceeded $1,500.

His Quick Pick had the winning numbers 26, 32, 42, 51 and 54, with 21 as the Mega Ball. All five white balls matched the winning numbers. The winning Mega Ball was 22, just one digit away from the full jackpot.

When he checked his ticket on Oct. 8, he was shocked to see all five white balls matched for a $1 million prize. Then he noticed the 2X multiplier had doubled his winnings to $2 million.

He said he studied the ticket and still could not believe he won the Mega Million prize.

"I still don’t believe it," he said when claiming his prize at Lottery Headquarters with his wife.

The couple celebrated at home that evening, talking about their good fortune for hours and sharing the news with their dog, who they trusted to keep their secret. The winner said he had a hard time sleeping that night and headed to work the next morning as usual.

He plans to pay off his mortgage and complete some home remodeling projects. Retirement, however, is not in the cards.

"I am not going to sit around," he said. "I love to work. Building things with my own hands is who I am."

The Ocean County man was the second winner for Oct. 6 Lottery draws.

About Mega Millions
In April 2025, the Mega Millions game enacted a rule change that provided players with a free random multiplier. Players are eligible to win a 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X multiplier. No player has won the jackpot, which is now $463 million heading into Friday’s drawing.

Second Major Winner
The Ocean County carpenter wasn’t the only big winner recently to claim a prize. An Essex County man claimed a $1,784,870 Jersey Cash 5 prize from the Oct. 3 drawing.

He purchased his winning ticket at El Caballo Blanco #2, 690 Mount Prospect Ave. in Newark. His winning numbers were 05, 10, 15, 16 and 18.

Like the Ocean County winner, he called his wife immediately after discovering his prize. He also enjoys playing Powerball and Scratch-Offs.