Forgetting to check his ticket led to a Charlotte man walking around with a $25,000 a year for life Lucky For Life prize in his pocket.

Shea Nowlan won the big prize when his Lucky For Life ticket matched the five white balls drawn on Jan. 20: 02-10-28-30-44. He bought the winning ticket at ABC Liquor, located at 311 Lansing Street in Charlotte. Charlotte is about 20 miles southwest of Lansing.

“I saw the winning ticket was bought in Charlotte, and meant to check my ticket,” said Nowlan. “I ended up forgetting to check and then several weeks later saw the prize wasn’t claimed and that’s when I remembered to check my ticket.”

Nowlan visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000 rather than annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. He plans to save his winnings.

For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. seven days-a-week. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com.