A man in Grapevine, Texas was arrested after driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode.” Police say the truck became disabled and took on water, and the driver was later released with charges including operating in a clo
The Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode” test ended with a vehicle lodged near the shoreline of Grapevine Lake—and a 24-mile trip north of Dallas that police say shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Grapevine Police Department officers were called to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp around 8 p.m. on Monday, May 18, after finding a Tesla Cybertruck stuck in the water, according to a May 19 Facebook post. The department said the driver intentionally drove into the lake to use the feature.
“The driver stated he intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s ‘Wade Mode’ feature,” police said, adding the vehicle “became disabled and took on water.” While officers said the driver and passengers abandoned the vehicle, Grapevine firefighters removed the truck from the lake.
The driver was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the park and lake, along with multiple violations of water safety equipment regulations. He was released on May 19, Grapevine Police Department spokesperson Katharina Gamboa said.
Police also urged restraint, saying that even if a vehicle can physically enter shallow freshwater, doing so can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law.
Tesla describes “Wade Mode” as a function that allows Cybertruck to enter and drive through bodies of water. including rivers or creeks. The automaker also warns that the responsibility for gauging water depth rests with the driver. and that damage or water ingress to Cybertruck from driving in water isn’t covered by the warranty.
Tesla says drivers should always inspect underwater conditions such as debris, drive slowly and safely, and return to shallower water or dry land if the water is too deep. The company’s guidance also notes a maximum wade depth of approximately 32 inches, measured from the bottom of the tire.
Jimmy Jack McDaniel was identified as the driver, though authorities did not provide additional information about him. Reporting from WFAA said the 70-year-old man had taken two visitors from Germany on a ride in the Cybertruck before it ended up marooned in Grapevine Lake.
McDaniel told the local TV station he had used “Wade Mode” in the lake and even the Atlantic Ocean without issues. but said he made a “miscalculation” this time—going too deep and getting stuck. He said he believes water entered the truck’s charging port, causing a short and shutting down the steering system.
A video shared by a local Fox affiliate on social media shows the driver and two passengers exiting through a window. The Cybertruck has since been returned to McDaniel, who hopes he can drive it again, WFAA reported.
It was not immediately clear whether McDaniel had obtained an attorney in the case.
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