Brooklyn Truck Driver Claims Second Largest Powerball Jackpot in New York Lottery History

Uma Flores · Oct 5, 2026

Brooklyn Truck Driver Claims Second Largest Powerball Jackpot in New York Lottery History

Powerball jackpot winner announcement event with oversized check presentation

David Johnson, a 56-year-old truck driver from Brooklyn, received the second-largest Powerball jackpot in New York Lottery history when officials presented him with a $298.3 million ceremonial check during a formal announcement, and Johnson selected the lump-sum payment option valued at approximately $180.2 million which left him with more than $114 million after required withholdings took effect.

Ticket Purchase and Discovery Details

The winning numbers 5, 25, 38, 52, 67 and Powerball 24 appeared on a ticket bought for five dollars at Arnold’s Service Station in Brooklyn, and Johnson learned about the match through a coworker who first spotted the results before verification confirmed the ticket belonged to him. Observers note that Johnson completed the claim process after lottery officials reviewed all documentation, and this step ensured the prize moved forward without delay once everything checked out.

Payment Structure and Final Amount

Johnson chose the cash option instead of the annuity, which converted the advertised $298.3 million jackpot into the immediate $180.2 million lump sum, and federal plus state withholdings reduced that figure to a net amount exceeding $114 million that he took home. Those who've studied lottery payout patterns know the cash value always sits lower than the advertised annuity total because it reflects the present-day worth of the prize pool rather than future payments spread across decades.

Background on the Winner

Johnson worked as a truck driver in Brooklyn at the time of the win, and colleagues described him as someone who maintained a regular routine before the ticket changed his circumstances. The New York Lottery handled the presentation of the oversized check in line with standard protocol for major prizes, and this public step allowed officials to verify the claim while sharing basic information about the win with the public.

Brooklyn service station exterior where the winning Powerball ticket was sold

Place in New York Lottery Records

This jackpot ranks as the second-largest Powerball prize ever awarded through the New York Lottery, and it sits behind only one prior drawing that produced a higher total for a state resident. Lottery records show the ticket sold at a single retail location in Brooklyn, and the five-dollar purchase followed the standard Powerball format that requires players to select five white balls plus one red Powerball number. Data from past drawings indicates most large jackpots in the state come from tickets bought at convenience stores or gas stations similar to Arnold’s Service Station.

Johnson completed all verification steps required by lottery rules before receiving the funds, and this process typically includes identity confirmation along with ticket authentication at the central office. Those familiar with New York Lottery procedures understand that winners must claim prizes within the allowed timeframe, and Johnson met that deadline without issue once he learned the numbers matched.

Retail Location and Ticket Sale

Arnold’s Service Station in Brooklyn sold the ticket that produced this record-setting prize, and the location received the standard retailer bonus that accompanies major wins in the state. The five-dollar cost covered one standard play, and the numbers drawn on the official date aligned exactly with the combination Johnson held. Lottery officials confirmed the sale occurred at that specific Brooklyn address, which added another entry to the list of New York retailers that have sold high-value Powerball tickets over the years.

Conclusion

Johnson’s win added his name to the short list of New York residents who have secured Powerball jackpots in the hundreds of millions, and the lump-sum choice delivered more than $114 million after withholdings. The ticket purchased at Arnold’s Service Station and verified through standard channels produced the second-largest prize in state history, and the entire process followed established New York Lottery guidelines from sale through final payment.