A 70-year-old man has been arrested after driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake in Texas, claiming he was using the vehicle's 'Wade Mode' feature. The incident occurred on Monday, and the driver was identified as Jimmy Jack McDaniel.
According to the Grapevine Police Department, McDaniel intentionally drove the Cybertruck into the lake to test its Wade Mode, which is designed for shallow water crossings. However, the vehicle became disabled and began taking on water, forcing McDaniel and other occupants to abandon it.
Local firefighters retrieved the Cybertruck from the lake, and McDaniel was arrested. He faces charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the park or lake, as well as multiple water safety equipment violations.
McDaniel told NBC 5 that he had previously driven the Cybertruck in water, including the Atlantic Ocean, without issues. Police reminded drivers that even if a vehicle can physically enter shallow water, it may still pose legal and safety risks under Texas law.
Tesla warns that drivers are responsible for assessing water depth before entering and that damage caused by water is not covered by the vehicle's warranty. The Independent has contacted Tesla and Grapevine police for further comment.
