Truman Capote's Mustang Crashes Into Henry Lehr Store in Sag Harbor

Update, April 29, 10:10 a.m.: The 1968 Ford Mustang that smashed into the front of a Sag Harbor store on Thursday evening once belonged to the novelist and playwright Truman Capote. Myron Clement, who, with his husband, Joe Petrocik, were friends with the "In Cold Blood" author, was identified by Village Police Chief Austin McGuire as the driver. In fact, the Mustang's license plate was CAPOTE, the chief said.

Mr. Clement accidentally drove the classic car up over the curb and into the brick facade of the Henry Lehr store at 96 Main Street at about 7 p.m. He reportedly put his foot on the gas instead of the brakes after he mistakenly thought he was in reverse. Mr. Clement was taken to Southampton Hospital with a minor injury and held overnight. The building was not structurally damaged, but a plate glass window was shattered. No one else was hurt.

Mr. Clement and Mr. Petrocik allowed the Mustang, described as cherry red, to be displayed at the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt's Black and White benefit, honoring Mr. Capote, in 2010. The Mustang suffered front-end damage, but the extent was unclear. The couple, who were close friends with Mr. Capote until his death, had had it restored.

It has been said that Mr. Capote wrote part of the novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's" at his Sagaponack house. Along with his partner, the author and playwright Jack Dunphy, some of Mr. Capote's ashes were spread in Crooked Pond, an area of the Long Pond Greenbelt that was purchased with money donated from the sale of their estate. The Greenbelt runs from Sag Harbor to Bridgehampton. Mr. Capote died in 1984 and Mr. Dunphy in 1992. 

Originally, April 28, 8:06 p.m.: A 1968 Ford Mustang convertible crashed into the Henry Lehr storefront on Sag Harbor's Main Street Thursday evening, breaking the glass window and leaving the driver with a minor injury, according to Village Police Chief Austin McGuire. 

Police and the Sag Harbor Fire Department were called to 96 Main Street at 6:59 p.m., after the driver ran up over the curb with the classic red car, hitting one side of the brick facade and glass windows on one side of the entrance. The man, whose name was not immediately released, had a possible eye injury, and the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps took him to Southampton Hospital. No one else was injured. 

The plate glass window on the front of the store was shattered. The building owner was reportedly on his way to board up the broken window. The chief said the building didn't appear to have sustained any structural damage.