Mankato Area Man Claims $1M Lottery Prize

A Mankato area man has collected his $1 million prize from a recent Mega Millions drawing.

Joel McKinzie of Lake Crystal purchased a ticket for the multi-state lottery that matched the first five numbers from the drawing on January 13th.

“I saw on the news [Jan. 14] that there was a Blue Earth County winner. I thought, ‘Wow! That increases my odds.’ I didn’t check the ticket that night even though I had the ticket right in my pocket,” he said.

McKinzie reported to the State Lottery headquarters on Friday to collect his winnings. Another $1 million prize winning ticket from that same drawing was purchased in Chisago County.