A 70-year-old man has been arrested in Texas after driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake using the vehicle's 'Wade Mode' feature, police said.
Jimmy Jack McDaniel told officers he intentionally drove into the lake to test the feature, which allows the electric truck to traverse shallow water. The vehicle became disabled and took on water, forcing McDaniel and passengers to abandon it.
The Grapevine Fire Department retrieved the Cybertruck from the lake. McDaniel faces charges including operating a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake and multiple water safety equipment violations.
McDaniel told local media he had previously driven the Cybertruck in water without issues, including in the Atlantic Ocean. Police reminded drivers that entering water bodies can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law.
Tesla warns drivers to assess water depth before entering and notes that water damage is not covered by the vehicle's warranty. The company has been contacted for comment.
