"Millionaire Next Door" Author Killed in Car Crash Near East Cobb

A popular author whose works were featured on Oprah and the New York Times’ Bestseller List died last week in a car accident in Cobb County, police said.

Thomas J. Stanley, 71, was traveling westbound on Paper Mill Road in a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette on Feb. 28. At approximately 3:10 p.m., Stanley slowed down to turn left onto Atlanta Country Club Drive when the 2006 Acura MDX behind him entered the opposite lanes of traffic in an effort to get around him.

The two cars collided in the intersection, then left the south side of Paper Mill Road and ended up in a residential front lawn.

Stanley was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver of the Acura, 45-year-old Jeffrey Fettig of Marietta was treated for minor injuries at the same hospital. Police expect to file charges against Fettig.

Stanley wrote the break-out bestseller “The Millionaire Next Door” in 1996. The book promoted the idea that millionaires that had worked to earned their fortunes did not buy fancy clothes and brand new cars like those who inherited their wealth are known to do.