Full Breakdown
Texas Driver Arrested After Deliberately Testing Tesla Cybertruck’s Wade Mode in Grapevine Lake
5/24/2026, 6:01:04 AM
Deliberate Wade Mode Test Leads to Lake Rescue and Arrest
On the evening of May 18, 2026, Grapevine Police responded to a call at the Katie’s Woods Park boat ramp on Grapevine Lake, Texas. Driver Jimmy Jack McDaniel deliberately drove his Tesla Cybertruck into the water to test “Wade Mode.” The vehicle disabled, took on water and was partially submerged. McDaniel and the passengers abandoned the truck. The Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team, assisted by jet skis and a tow truck, extracted the Cybertruck. McDaniel was arrested for operating a vehicle in a closed lake section and for multiple water-safety equipment violations.
Wade Mode Limits and Prior Incidents
Tesla’s manual says Wade Mode raises the Cybertruck’s ride height to “Very High” for water no deeper than 32 inches (81.5 cm). Drivers must gauge depth, close windows, drive slowly, avoid muddy bottoms, and limit use to 30 minutes. Prior incidents include a self-driving Cybertruck crash on an Austin highway overpass in 2023.
Depth Mismatch and Vehicle Damage
Grapevine Lake reaches depths of up to 65 feet, far beyond the Cybertruck’s 32-inch wade limit. The vehicle’s charge port was submerged, causing a false charging state that locked the wheels, as the driver later explained. Tesla’s warranty excludes damage or water ingress from water exposure.
Police Statements and Safety Concerns
The Grapevine Police Department confirmed the vehicle’s disabling, passenger abandonment, and rescue. Officer Katharina Gamboa warned that willingly driving a vehicle into the water is discouraged, noting safety and legal concerns under Texas law. The department also reminded that entering water without proper registration or safety equipment violates state regulations.
Body-Camera Account
Body-camera footage shows McDaniel saying the submerged charge port prevented wheel movement and that this was his third water-related Cybertruck incident. When asked why he tried the maneuver, he replied, “It doesn’t matter.” Officers noted, “Well the wrecker company’s going to tow it out.”
Conflicting Details
Sources differ on the exact water depth at the entry point; while Grapevine Lake’s maximum depth is 65 feet, the precise depth where the Cybertruck stalled is undisclosed. McDaniel’s claim of three prior water incidents lacks police documentation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The charge port is underwater and it [the Cybertruck] thinks it’s plugged in to the charging unit and it won’t let the wheels turn because it thinks it’s charging.” — Jimmy Jack McDaniel
- “I wasn’t thinking about that,” — Jimmy Jack McDaniel
- “We wouldn't encourage willingly driving your vehicle into the water,” — Katharina Gamboa, Grapevine Police Department
- “damage or water ingress to Cybertruck as a result of driving in water is not covered by the warranty” — Tesla website
Next Steps
McDaniel faces prosecution for the cited offenses, and the Grapevine Police Department plans continued public outreach on lawful water-craft usage. Tesla has not issued further comment beyond its manual warnings, leaving the broader implications for Cybertruck marketing unresolved.
