A Matthews couple claimed their $1 million lottery prize yesterday afternoon - just 24 hours before the ticket expired. North Carolina Education Lottery spokesman Van Denton said officials were worried the ticket would become the largest prize to go unclaimed in the state. When Erin and Raleigh Hill finally came forward yesterday, Denton had just one question: "Why did you wait so long?" "The wife, Erin, turned to the husband, Raleigh, and said 'Ask him,'" says Denton. "Raleigh told us how when he realized he had won, that he wasn't sure how this would change his life." Raleigh Hill bought the winning ticket from a Matthews gas station last August, but kept his good luck a secret from his wife for several weeks. He was worried about the publicity that would come with it. Occasionally, Erin would ask when they were going to collect the money and Raleigh would say he wasn't ready yet. If he'd waited 24-hours longer, the winning ticket would have been worthless. After taxes, the Hills received $680,000. They plan to use the money to pay some bills, look for a new house and take a trip to Ireland.
Matthews Couple Claims $1M Lottery Ticket At Last Minute
