Thrill-seeking Cybertruck driver arrested after cruising into a LAKE using Tesla's 'wade mode'

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 03:23, 21 May 2026 | Updated: 03:24, 21 May 2026 A thrill-seeking Cybertruck driver was arrested after intentionally driving into a Texas lake using the vehicle's 'wade mode', and getting stuck. Jimmy Jack McDaniel, 70, was taken into custody after driving the Tesla truck into Grapevine Lake on Monday. Images shared by Grapevine Police showed the vehicle partially submerged in the waters after being ditched.  Footage has also since emerged of McDaniel driving in the water, before it cuts to the vehicle being pulled from the depths by a rescue team. Grapevine Police said he now faces charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the park.  McDaniel is also facing boat-related charges including not having a valid boat registration and not having lifejackets or a fire extinguisher on board the truck. He insisted to KTVB that he made a 'miscalculation' and went in too deep, causing water to seep into the truck's charging port. According to him, he was taking a German father and son duo for a spin who were over visiting his neighbor. All managed to escape via the window.  Images shared by Grapevine Police showed the vehicle partially submerged in the waters after being ditched Grapevine Police said he now faces charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the park, the lake is seen here He also claimed he has driven in the lake before and even drove the vehicle into the ocean.  A statement from police said: 'Our Patrol Officers were dispatched to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp, where a Tesla Cybertruck was in the water, near the shoreline.  'The driver stated he intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode” feature. The vehicle became disabled and took on water.  'The driver and passengers abandoned the vehicle and the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted in removing it from the lake.  'The driver was arrested on charges of Operation of Vehicle in Closed Section of Park/Lake and numerous water safety equipment violations. '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.' According to Tesla's owner manual for the truck, wade mode allows the vehicle to 'enter and drive through bodies of water, such as river or creeks'. It warns that drivers must take care to 'gauge the depth of any body of water before entering'.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.