Full Breakdown
Texas Driver Arrested After Deliberately Testing Tesla Cybertruck’s Wade Mode in Grapevine Lake
5/22/2026, 12:45:01 AM
Deliberate Lake Test of Wade Mode
On Monday, May 18, 2026, Grapevine Police officers responded to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp on Grapevine Lake after a Tesla Cybertruck was found partially submerged. Driver Jimmy Jack McDaniel told officers he intentionally entered the lake to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode.” The truck became disabled, took on water, and the driver and his passengers exited before the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team recovered the vehicle.
Wade Mode Design and Limitations
The Cybertruck, a stainless-steel electric pickup released in 2023, offers “Wade Mode” for shallow water crossings. Tesla’s manual caps the feature at 81.5 cm (32 in) depth, requires drivers to gauge water conditions, and excludes water-damage from warranty coverage. The vehicle’s price ranges from $70,000 to $80,000, and Grapevine Lake lies about 25 mi north of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Key Figures
- Jimmy Jack McDaniel – 70-year-old driver who claimed prior water tests.
- Katharina Gamboa – spokesperson for the Grapevine Police Department.
- Grapevine Police Department – arrested McDaniel and issued public safety warnings.
- Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team – removed the vehicle.
- Tesla, Inc. – manufacturer; its manual provides the technical specifications cited above.
Police and Manufacturer Responses
Grapevine Police emphasized that while a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow water, doing so can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law, and warned drivers against using vehicles in restricted water areas. Tesla’s manual reiterates driver responsibility to assess depth.
Legal and Safety Implications
The incident highlights the legal risks of testing advanced vehicle features in public waterways and may influence how manufacturers communicate usage limits for off-road capabilities.
Contrasting Claims
McDaniel’s claim of prior successful water tests conflicts with police and Tesla warnings that Wade Mode is limited to shallow, controlled crossings, and that lake depth and submerged rocks exceeded design limits.
Eyewitness Accounts
Bystander video showed the Cybertruck rolling off a rocky shoreline; a witness shouted, “Yo sir, you can’t park there.” Passengers escaped before responders arrived.
Reporting Discrepancies
Initial reports omitted the driver’s name and passenger count; later coverage identified McDaniel and noted his prior water-testing claim. Some outlets omitted the vessel-registration charge.
Direct Statements
- “We wouldn’t encourage willingly driving your vehicle into the water.” — Katharina Gamboa, Grapevine PD spokesperson
- “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 PD (Facebook)
- “I intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s ‘Wade Mode’ feature.” — Jimmy Jack McDaniel, driver (police)
- “I’ve driven the Cybertruck in water several times before without incident.” — Jimmy Jack McDaniel, driver (NBC 5)
Future Developments
McDaniel remains in Grapevine Jail; a court date has not been announced. The case may prompt review of off-road feature marketing.
