Retiree thought he won $2,000 in California lottery game. It was much, much more

A Los Angeles man on his way to the gym stopped to buy a bottle of water — and came away millions of dollars richer.

Bryan Crandall found some extra bills in his pocket while paying for the $1 bottle at Nite Mini Market, located at 5101 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles, so he decided to buy some California State Lottery scratchers, the lottery said in a Tuesday news release.

Checking the Instant Prize Crossword scratchers ticket, Crandall thought he’d gotten lucky.

“I thought, oh, wow, I won $2,000. Then I squinted and thought that it was $200,000. Then I went to the counter and confirmed with the clerk who got so excited and said ‘no, it’s $2 million!’” Crandall said.

Crandall, who retired about a year ago, said he intends to use the winnings to buy a house in Houston to be closer to his children.

Adan Castillo Nares won $1 million on a Merry Multiplier Scratcher purchased at a Chevron station at 5869 Antelope Road in Antelope, northeast of Sacramento.

Elias Hernandez also won $1 million in the game with a ticket purchased at an Arco station at 10610 East Garvey Ave. in El Monte, near Los Angeles.

And Lydia Alvarez also won $2 million playing Instant Prize Crossword on a ticket purchased at Party Time Liquor at 460 North Mountain Ave. in Ontario, near Los Angeles.