Former Hart Quarterback Hurt in Crash

Former Hart High quarterback Ryan Connors, who set a state passing record two years ago, was hospitalized after a high-speed car accident late Friday in which another motorist was left in critical condition. Authorities believe Connors might have been drinking and drag-racing.

The accident occurred at about 11:55 p.m. on San Fernando Road in Newhall, a few blocks from Hart High, for which Connors passed for a single-season record 4,144 yards in 1991 and became the first quarterback in California history to reach 4,000.

Connors, 19, driving a 1986 Mercedes Benz convertible, lost control and crossed the double-yellow divider on the two-lane road, where he was struck by a 1987 Toyota Corolla Tercel driven by Gregory C. Moore, 32, of the Northern California community of Sea Ranch, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies.

Moore and Connors were transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, where Moore was listed in critical condition. Paramedics required more than an hour to remove Moore from his vehicle. Hospital officials did not comment on Connors’ condition on the request of his family, but a Sheriff’s report said he suffered minor injuries and was admitted for observation.

Calls to the Connors household were not returned Saturday.

Based on eyewitness accounts, deputies believe Connors was racing a friend who drove a 1990 Ford Taurus south on San Fernando Road near the Hi Chic Curve at nearly 100 m.p.h. Connors careened off the shoulder and was still traveling in excess of 70 m.p.h. during the collision.

Connors was not arrested, and Lt. Barbara Persten said results of blood-alcohol tests won’t be released for about two weeks. Because the report had not been completed, the Sheriff’s Department did not release the name of the motorist Connors was racing or the name of a passenger riding with Connors--a minor who a hospital spokesman said was treated and released.

By Saturday evening, many of the quarterback’s friends and former teammates had heard of the accident and were planning to visit him that night.

“I’m shocked to hear what happened,” said Deriek Charles, a former Hart running back. “A friend of mine told me about it this afternoon. I hear he’s doing pretty good and he’s going to make it. I guess he had a few bumps and bruises.”

Charles, a 1993 Hart graduate who will play football this fall at Washington State, said he had talked to Connors nearly a week ago about practicing. Charles was a favorite receiver of Connors during a 1991 season in which the 6-foot, 185-pound Connors threw 39 touchdown passes while leading the Indians to the Foothill League championship and the semifinals of the Southern Section Division III semifinals.

Connors completed 61.6% of his passes that season and finished with 6,959 passing yards in his career. He drew interest from several Division I colleges, including UCLA, Miami and Nebraska. But recruiters ultimately backed off, saying Connors--who was named back of the year by The Times and All-Southern Section--was too small.

Connors decided to attend a one-year preparatory school in Newport, R.I., for the Naval Academy, but friends said he came back this summer with plans to attend UC Davis instead this fall.

“I don’t know how to react to this,” said Davis Delmatoff, who succeeded Connors as Hart’s quarterback in 1992 with 36 passing touchdowns and All-Southern Section honors.