Pittsboro man has to pinch himself to believe $200,000 NC lottery win

A Pittsboro man thought he was dreaming when his winning lottery ticket showed he was a whole lot richer.

Nicholas Parker couldn't believe his eyes when he bought a $5 scratch-off and uncovered his $200,000 prize.

“I really thought it was a dream and that I would wake up any second,” Parker said. “I was pinching myself.”

Parker bought his Carolina Panthers scratch-off ticket from Sheetz on North Broad Street in Fuquay-Varina on Friday morning.

“At first I thought I just won $200,” he said. “Then I saw all the zeroes and I just sat there looking at it.”

He said it took a minute for him to absorb what had happened.

“When it finally set in I got super excited and started freaking out a little bit,” he laughed.

After taxes, Parker took home $142,501. He said he'll use the money to pay bills and invest.