Dad wins lottery jackpot as son is prepped for surgery in VA

As Jerome Stephens’ son was getting prepped for surgery in Virginia, the father took a moment to check the lottery’s winning numbers.

His son was put under anesthesia just as Stephens discovered he had won a $150,000 jackpot, according to an April 21 news release from the Virginia Lottery.

Stephens matched four of the six numbers in the March 30 Powerball drawing, which scored him a $50,000 win, according to lottery officials.

But he also spent an extra dollar for Power Play when he purchased his ticket — a decision that tripled his prize.

The Vinton father had bought his lucky ticket at the Bee Quick Market on Hardy Road, lottery officials said.

The odds of winning any prize in the Powerball game are 1 in 25. The odds of matching all six numbers are 1 in 292.2 million, according to the lottery.

Stephens told lottery officials he planned to use the money to help take care of his family.

Vinton is about 162 miles west of Richmond.