Kenneth Gifford of Glen Burnie was in Reston on business a few weeks ago when he stopped for snacks at the 7-Eleven at 11846 Sunrise Valley Dr.

He also picked up a couple of the Virginia Lottery’s Venetian Scratcher tickets. One of those tickets turned out to be a $150,000 winner.

“I scratched the tickets in the car and had to pinch myself,” said Gifford.

Gifford told Virginia Lottery officials he hopes to buy a new truck with his winnings.

Gifford is the third player to claim the Venetian’s top prize, which means two $150,000 tickets are still unclaimed, lottery officials said. In addition, non-winning The Venetian tickets can be entered in the Virginia Lottery’s “Epic Vegas” Scratcher promotion for one of 10 Las Vegas trips worth $25,000 or a $150,000 cash prize. Eight of the Vegas trips have been awarded. The remaining two trips and a cash prize of $150,000 will be selected in a drawing on Sept. 10.

Photo of Ken Gifford/Courtesy of Virginia Lottery