Denver Coder, Lyft Driver Grieved After Fatal Carjacking

DENVER, CO – Family and friends of murdered Denver Lyft driver David Rosenthal, 58, are asking for help "to honor Dave in the same amazing way he lived his life."

Rosenthal was shot and killed during a carjacking in Denver Feb. 20 in the 1500 block of Perry Street around 1:40 a.m. Friends and family have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses.

Police say the trio that killed Rosenthal and stole his 2015 Cadillac STS four-door sedan then engaged in a multi-state crime spree, robbing a convenience store in Cheyenne, Wyoming, then a bank in Park City, Utah. Matthew Fanelli, 30, of New Mexico, and Jose Lopez-Jovel, 31, of El Salvador were arrested Saturday in Roseburg, Oregon. Denver police said Fanelli will be extradited to Denver to face charges of first-degree murder for the death of Rosenthal.

"We are devastated with the unexpected loss of Dave. He was an amazing father, son, brother, husband, and friend," his family said in a statement to 9NEWS. "Dave loved everyone - even strangers - and would go out of his way to help anyone during their time of need."

"Dave was an amazing father, son, brother, husband, and friend," friends of his widow Janelle West posted on GoFundMe. "He was taken way too soon from us after a tragic act of violence."

"I just couldn’t get out of my own head as to why anyone would do that to such a nice guy," said Rosenthal's longtime neighbor, Micah Emerson, told the TV channel. "He would’ve just given them the car if they would’ve just said get out of the car." Emerson described

Lyft confirmed to 9NEWS that Rosenthal was a driver for the company, but said he was not working for Lyft when he was killed.

"This is tragic news and our hearts go out to Mr. Rosenthal's loved ones during this difficult time, Lyft said in a statement reported on 9NEWS. "While this incident did not involve the Lyft platform, the safety of the Lyft community is our top priority. We have been working with law enforcement to support their investigation and will continue to do so."

READ MORE at 9NEWS

Related: After Multi-State Crime Spree, Men Arrested In Oregon

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