Powerball’s $500 million jackpot draws crowds of customers to Fresno gas stations

Gas stations and convenience stores across Fresno were crowded with people lining up and eager to purchase tickets for the $500 million jackpot Powerball drawing at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Flyers gas station in southwest Fresno, near Jensen Avenue and Highway 99, had its share of eager customers, but none appeared more eager than avid Powerball player Lucy Whittle of Fresno.

“People laugh and say ‘Why are you playing, don’t you go to church?’ ” Whittle said. “But I could win this.”

Whittle said she had a sign of her impending good fortune.

“I had a fortune cookie from about three months ago that said I’ll be usually successful that I found today,” she said. “When I went to tear it up, it hit me in the face.”

And her plans after cashing in her winning ticket? “No one will hear from me again, not even my children,” Whittle said jokingly.

Fresno truck driver Manny Guzman stopped at Flyers to purchase a ticket while on his way to make a delivery Wednesday night.

“I usually just play a lot of scratchers,” he said. Because of the massive Powerball jackpot, he bought $20 worth of tickets in hopes that one of them would make him the lucky winner.

And if he does win, Guzman said, he plans to purchase a large property and build a house.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 7:50 PM with the headline "Powerball’s $500 million jackpot draws crowds of customers to Fresno gas stations."