Full Breakdown
Texas Driver Arrested After Deliberate Cybertruck Wade Mode Test Sends Vehicle Into Grapevine Lake
5/20/2026, 9:18:15 PM
Lake Test Ends in Arrest
On Monday, May 18 2026, Grapevine Police responded to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp after a Tesla Cybertruck was found submerged. Driver Jimmy Jack McDaniel, 70, told officers he deliberately entered Grapevine Lake to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode.” The truck stalled, took on water, and McDaniel and two passengers exited before the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team extracted the vehicle with a crane. No injuries were reported.
Wade Mode Limits
Tesla’s owner manual defines Wade Mode as a feature that “allows Cybertruck to enter and drive through bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks.” The system raises suspension, limits speed to 1–3 mph, and is rated for a maximum water depth of about 32 inches (815 mm). Grapevine Lake’s shoreline depth at the ramp is roughly one foot, but the lake deepens to over 60 feet. The manual warns that drivers must gauge depth and that water-related damage is not covered by warranty.
People Involved and Legal Action
- Jimmy Jack McDaniel – driver who initiated the test.
- Grapevine Police Department – arrested McDaniel on misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle in a closed park/lake section, lacking a valid boat registration, and multiple water-safety equipment violations. He was booked into Grapevine Jail and released the following day.
- Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team – recovered the submerged Cybertruck.
- Tesla, Inc. – supplied the specifications cited in the manual.
Driver’s Statements and Public Reaction
McDaniel told reporters he had driven the Cybertruck in water “several times before without incident,” adding that he had even done so in the Atlantic Ocean. Observers and local officials labeled the stunt reckless, noting the disparity between marketing claims of water capability and the manual’s shallow-water limits.
Conflicting Reports
Early coverage omitted the driver’s name, referring only to “the driver,” while later reports identified him as Jimmy Jack McDaniel. Some articles did not mention his claim of prior ocean drives. Tesla has not issued a comment beyond the manual excerpt, and the exact water depth at the point of entry remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We want to remind drivers that although a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law,” — Grapevine Police Department
- “Don't drive into the water with your vehicle,” — Katharina Gamboa, Grapevine Police Media Manager
- “McDaniel said he had driven his Cybertruck in water "several times before without incident," according to NBC5.” — Jimmy Jack McDaniel
- “Wade Mode allows Cybertruck to enter and drive through bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks.” — Tesla Cybertruck Owner’s Manual
Future Outlook
McDaniel faces upcoming court dates on the misdemeanor charges. Grapevine authorities plan continued public-safety outreach about vehicle water-crossing limits. Tesla has not announced changes to Wade Mode guidance, but the incident may prompt further clarification of the feature’s practical constraints.
