Carmen Rodriguez of Methuen is the winner of a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright” $10 instant ticket game, the Lottery announced last month.
Rodriguez opted to receive her prize in the form of a one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes). She said she plans on purchasing a new home and car with the winnings.
She purchased her winning ticket at Sunoco, 150 Pelham St. in Methuen. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket.
The “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright” ticket is one of six holiday-themed tickets that launched Oct. 15. In addition to chances to win top prizes ranging from $500 to $2.5 million, players can enter non-winning holiday tickets into a drawing for chances to win cash prizes from $100 to $10,000. More information is available on masslottery.com.

Methuen’s Carmen Rodriguez won $1 million on a $10 scratch ticket purchased at Sunoco on Pelham Street. Courtesy photo