Some veterans said adjusting to civilian life after being in combat is no easy task and riding a motorcycle can fill the need for an adrenaline rush.

However, across the region, that combination has become increasingly deadly.

On May 7, 24-year-old Marine Sgt. Ryan Pearson, of Arkansas, was killed on his motorcycle on the McNally Bridge on Route 219. On Aug. 22, 22-year-old Jeff Keyser, a Richland Township firefighter and a former airman, died after crashing his motorcycle on Elton Road, in Geistown.

The circumstances, though still under investigation, prompted investigators to take a closer look at the relationship between former soldiers and motorcycle deaths.

"We did a little research on it and found out that, in fact, it's a phenomenon that is happening across the nation," said Detective Kevin Lehman, of the Richland Police Department.

According to the Naval Safety Center's website, from 2002-2006, 624 Marines and sailors were killed in private motor vehicle deaths. Of those, 176 were motorcycle deaths. When adding Army soldiers, the number of motorcycle deaths totaled about 350 since 2001.

"At one time...there were actually more soldiers being killed in civilian life in motorcycle accidents and vehicle accidents than were dying in Iraq," Lehman said.

Experts said adrenaline is behind the phenomenon.

Gordon Mathers, of the VA Medical Center, said, "When they come back to the U.S., there's no switch there to just say that it's all over. 'I don't miss the combat, but I miss being up and ready.'"

Mathers said he likens the rush to a drug addiction.

"They get addicted to the adrenaline. It puts them on a high. It's a drug in itself," he said.

Mathers said the more a soldier is involved in combat, the greater the need for adrenaline when he or she comes home. He said the problem of motorcycle deaths has increased so much, the U.S. Army instituted a mandatory safety training class for bike owners.

Army Reserve Chief Jason Pitts said the class teaches riders safety techniques that many riders don't typically know.

Lehman said the findings were a "wake-up call for the military that we have to address. We're trying to be safe with our troops in Iraq and something is falling short back here in the U.S."

He said the issue actually started back in World War II with the military surplus of motorcycles. He also said that was the origin of the famous motorcycle group the Hell's Angels.

If you or a loved one needs help dealing with overwhelming feelings of adrenaline, please call the VA Medical Center at 877-626-2500.