(UPI) A North Carolina man said he was shocked when a Powerball ticket that was forgotten in his wallet for three weeks turned out to be a $1 million winner.

Fredderick Russell Carroll of Coats told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he purchased his Powerball ticket from the Shri Sharda Petroleum gas station in Coats.

"I was hoping, like everybody, to win something," he said. Me and my son were together and we decided just to give it a shot and buy one.

Carroll said he put his ticket into his wallet -- where it ended up being forgotten.

"Honestly, I put it in my wallet and forgot about it," he said. I've been all over the place and I had a million dollars in my pocket. We've been working around the ponds and everything and I didn't know!

Carroll said it was three weeks after the drawing when he finally scanned the ticket at a convenience store and the readout told him to visit lottery headquarters.

The player said he didn't know he had won $1 million until he arrived at the lottery office.

"When I got to headquarters, the lady ran it and told me how much it was," Carroll said. It took me a little bit. I didn't realize I had won anything.

Carroll said his winnings will go toward paying bills and medical costs for his wife. He said he will share the rest with his family.

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