Calif. Man Wins $650K Lottery Night After Wife Dies of Heart Attack

April 1, 2014 — -- A California truck driver was hit with tragedy and a windfall in the same weekend when his wife died of a heart attack on March 22 and he won $650,000 from the state lottery the next day.

Timothy McDaniel, 55, of Marysville, Calif., about 40 miles north of Sacramento, said, "I think she just kind of sent me this money so I could continue taking care of the [grand] kids," according to a statement from the California lottery.

McDaniel won $500 per week for 25 years on a $1 "California Lucky for Life" Scratchers ticket.

He opted for the cash option for a lump sum of about $375,000 before taxes.

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McDaniel said he's only won about $200 in his previous play.

“Since I got my taxes this year, I don’t know why I’ve been playing a little more than usual. I just got lucky I guess," he said.

McDaniel said he wants to buy a house, a truck and save the rest.

"Everything happens for a reason and this is the break I needed. I’m going to keep on working and living my life the same I always have. The only difference is I have a big family and now if anybody needs anything, I can help them out," he said.

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