LEONARDTOWN — A retired St. Mary’s County woman won the $100,000 top prize on a Red 5’s Doubler scratch-off ticket after deciding to make a grocery run despite heavy rain on May 23, 2026.
The woman, a veteran and former investigator, told Maryland Lottery officials she typically avoids driving in heavy rain but needed to restock her fridge and pantry. Lottery tickets are a regular part of her grocery list, and she only purchases them at the store.
She drove to the Food Lion at 40955 Merchant Lane in Leonardtown, completed her shopping and sat in her car in the parking lot to dry off and warm up after getting soaked. Unlike her usual habit of heading straight home, she scratched her two $10 Red 5’s Doubler tickets while waiting.
Her first reaction to seeing the $100,000 win was disbelief. “I knew what I was seeing couldn’t be right,” she said. After partially accepting the outcome, she stopped at another store to verify the ticket. Even then, she remained cautious until officially claiming the prize in Baltimore on June 2, 2026.
Red 5’s Doubler launched in December 2025 with nine top prizes of $100,000. Two remain unclaimed, along with four $20,000 second-tier prizes. The Food Lion location receives a $1,000 retailer bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The Maryland Lottery offers multiple scratch-off games with varying prize structures and odds. Proceeds support state programs including education and public health initiatives. Players are encouraged to verify tickets at authorized retailers or through official channels before claiming larger prizes.
