Chatham County mom can buy dream car with $10 million win

Jena Johnson of Goldston dreamed of owning a BMW convertible and now she can buy one after a $50 scratch-off revealed a $10 million top prize.

“I have always wanted it since I was 16,” she laughed.

Johnson, a middle school teacher for over 20 years, bought her lucky 500X The Cash ticket from the Murphy Express on New Chatham Road in Siler City.

“I kept looking at it thinking, ‘This can’t be,’” she said recalling her winning moment.

Johnson said in addition to her dream car, she has other big plans for her winnings.

“Our daughter just got engaged and after I won I said, ‘I found a way to pay for the wedding,’” Johnson said.

When Johnson arrived Thursday to collect her winnings, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive her prize as an annuity of $500,000 a year over 20 years or a lump sum of $6 million. She chose the lump sum of $6 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $4,320,614.

The 500X The Cash game debuted in January with five top prizes of $10 million and 10 prizes of $250,000. Four $10 million prizes and seven $250,000 prizes remain to be claimed.