SACRAMENTO, July 9, 1999 -- Three winning tickets matched all six numbers drawn -- 42, 37, 49, 27, 41, 16 -- and will split the last Wednesday's $32 million jackpot. The tickets were sold in Elk Grove, Dixon and Hesperia.
Two of the winners, Bill Jones of Elk Grove and John Pardi of Dixon, held a joint press conference as they claimed their prizes on Friday in Sacramento. "I'm numb, I'm absolutely numb!" exclaimed Jones, a sentiment that was echoed by Pardi.
Jones, who owns a trucking business in Elk Grove with his wife Regina, spent $2 on SuperLotto tickets while he was at Albertson's to get a watermelon that Regina requested. Jones explained, "I didn't want to go to the store, but Regina was sick and wanted a watermelon. I guess it's a good thing I went!" Pardi, who is the co-owner of a construction company in Dixon, bought his ticket at Dawson's, a local bar & grill, at the coaxing of his three close friends. Once the news was out that Dawson's had sold the winning ticket, the other three checked their tickets, and urged Pardi to check his also. It was then that they realized he was the lucky ticket holder. Both winners plan to continue running their businesses, but will take an extended vacation to Hawaii and purchase new family vehicles.
The third winner, Diane Gutierrez, purchased her ticket in Hesperia at Circle K.
All three winners chose the cash option and the cash value of the jackpot was $5,032,742.70. After taxes, they will win $3,623,574.74. All three tickets were QuickPicks.
Each retailer will receive $53,333 or 1/2 of 1% of the portion of the jackpot that they sold. Since 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $11 billion to California's public schools.
SuperLotto can be played at more than 18,000 retail business establishments around the state. The SuperLotto draw takes place each Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:58 p.m. Players can purchase tickets until 7:45 p.m. on the night of the draw.
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