A California man who realized belatedly that he had the second winning ticket in last month's $648 million Mega Millions lottery did the thing that everybody says they're going to do: Delivery driver Steve Tran called his employer with a very special message. "I'm really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don't think I'm going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever." Lottery officials relayed the story today on behalf of Tran, who did not face the media, reports the San Jose Mercury News. If he takes the lump sum, Tran gets $173.8 million before taxes.
Lottery officials didn't divulge Tran's age or hometown, but they did share the story of how he realized he was the winner. He had bought the ticket on a trip to San Jose, which he and his family visit frequently because of its large Vietnamese community. But he forgot to check the ticket after the drawing, and it sat in his house while he and his family went on vacation. Upon their return, Trans says he woke in the middle of the night with a thought: "I think I went to San Jose." He did. After checking the ticket, he hugged his wife and then called his boss, reports the LA Times. (More Mega Millions stories.)