Connors Charged--3 Counts : Jurisprudence: Former Hart quarterback accused of driving under the influence in an accident that left another motorist in critical condition. He could face four years in state prison.

Ryan Connors, a former record-setting quarterback at Hart High, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving Wednesday in connection with a high-speed car accident last month in Newhall that left a Northern California motorist critically injured.

Connors, 19, was charged with felony counts of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above, and driving under the influence and causing injuries--with the special allegation of multiple victims. A misdemeanor count alleges reckless driving that caused injuries. Connors had not previously been arrested for drunk driving, according to a check of Department of Motor Vehicle Records in Sacramento.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Dan Damon said that if convicted on all charges, Connors--The Times’ 1991 Valley back of the year--could face four years in state prison. Connors is scheduled to surrender Friday morning at the Newhall Courthouse. His bail will be set at $25,000.

Connors’ family would not allow him to comment. When contacted at home by phone, Connors’ father was terse. “We have no comment,” Bernie Connors said before quickly hanging up on a reporter.

Tom Kascoutas, Connors’ Newhall-based attorney, was unavailable for comment.

Although Connors was not arrested after the two-car accident July 23 on San Fernando Road in Newhall that left Gregory C. Moore, 32, critically injured, authorities indicated they believed Connors might have been drinking and drag racing. Damon revealed Wednesday that Connors’ blood-alcohol level was .08 two hours after the collision.

Moore, who sheriff’s deputies say resides in the community of Sea Ranch about 100 miles north of San Francisco, was listed in critical condition throughout his weeklong stay in the intensive-care unit at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

He was transferred from Henry Mayo to Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles on July 31. No information concerning Moore’s medical status has been released at the request of his family. However, sources indicate Moore is still hospitalized with severe head, leg and internal injuries.

The accident occurred near midnight on a Friday, a few blocks from Hart High. Connors lost control of the car he was driving and crossed the median in a construction area where San Fernando Road narrows from four lanes to two. His car was struck by one driven by Moore, according to the accident report. Based on eyewitness accounts, deputies believe Connors was racing at nearly 100 m.p.h. against a car driven by a friend.

Authorities have not released the name of the motorist Connors was allegedly racing or the name of the passenger riding with Connors. The passenger, a minor, was treated and released that night, according to hospital authorities. Connors, who suffered minor injuries, was discharged from the hospital July 25.

Connors is the only quarterback in Southern Section history to pass for 4,000 yards in a season. As a senior in 1991, he passed for 4,144 yards and 39 touchdowns. Connors’ 289 completions that season is also a record and he ranks fourth with 6,996 yards in his career.

He led the Indians to the Foothill League championship and the semifinals of the Division III playoffs.

Connors attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I., in the 1992-93 academic year and was planning to attend UC Davis this fall.