A 70-year-old man in Texas has been arrested after allegedly driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake using the vehicle's 'Wade Mode' feature, police said.
The incident occurred on Monday when the driver, identified as Jimmy Jack McDaniel, reportedly drove the electric truck into the lake. According to the Grapevine Police Department, McDaniel told officers he 'intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode” feature.'
Wade Mode is designed to allow Cybertrucks to traverse shallow water, but in this case, the vehicle 'became disabled and took on water,' prompting McDaniel and others to abandon it. The local fire department retrieved the truck from the lake.
McDaniel faces charges of Operation of Vehicle in Closed Section of Park/Lake and multiple water safety equipment violations. He told NBC 5 that he had previously driven the Cybertruck in water, including the Atlantic Ocean, without issues.
Police reminded drivers that entering water bodies with vehicles, even if physically possible, can raise legal and safety concerns under Texas law. Tesla warns that drivers must assess water depth before entering and that water damage is not covered by warranty.
