Texas man arrested after driving Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to “test” Wade Mode
A 70-year-old Texas man, Jimmy Jack McDaniel, was arrested after intentionally driving his Tesla Cybertruck down Katie’s Woods Park boat ramp into Grapevine Lake to “test” Wade Mode; the vehicle disabled and began taking on water.
Key takeaways
- Driver identified: 70-year-old Jimmy Jack McDaniel, named by local coverage from FOX 4.
- Incident: Stainless-steel Tesla Cybertruck was driven into Grapevine Lake at Katie’s Woods Park to test Wade Mode; the vehicle disabled and began taking on water.
- Response & outcome: Occupants exited safely; the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team recovered the truck; no injuries reported. Official statements from the Grapevine Police Department.
How the incident unfolded
According to the Grapevine Police Department, officers were dispatched just before 8 p.m. after reports that a stainless-steel Tesla Cybertruck had been driven down the Katie’s Woods Park boat ramp into Grapevine Lake. Police allege that Jimmy Jack McDaniel told officers he intended to “test” Tesla’s Wade Mode. The vehicle quickly became disabled and began taking on water.
“The act was intentional,” police stated in their public release, emphasizing that occupants exited the vehicle before rescuers arrived.
Photos released by authorities show the Cybertruck partially submerged near the shoreline while emergency crews worked to recover it. The Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted in removing the pickup from the lake. Police reports and local coverage indicate there were no injuries and that McDaniel remained in custody into Tuesday afternoon.
Wade Mode: design, limits and manufacturer guidance
Tesla markets Cybertruck features, including Wade Mode, as tools to assist shallow-water crossings and rough terrain by adjusting ride height and pressurizing vehicle enclosures to reduce water ingress. However, Tesla’s materials caution that these protections have limits and are intended for brief, shallow fords — not deliberate immersion at boat ramps or prolonged submersion.
Safety experts note that sealing and pressurization can be overwhelmed by deep water, long crossings, currents or sustained immersion, which may lead to loss of traction, buoyancy, or damage to sensitive components. Authorities reiterated that advertised capabilities do not supersede local laws or park closures.
Charges, laws and enforcement
Grapevine police charged McDaniel with operating a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake, failing to have a valid boat registration, and multiple water safety equipment violations. Texas statutes and local ordinances can apply to vehicle operations in waterways, and police used their public channels to warn residents that vehicle capability does not remove legal obligations.
The department’s public reminders — posted on its official page and shared by local media — stressed that unlawful or unsafe maneuvers near water can result in arrest, fines, and civil liability.
Rescue response and recovery
First responders arrived just before 8 p.m., coordinated between Grapevine police and fire units, and secured the scene. The Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team performed the vehicle-in-water recovery after confirming occupants were safe and uninjured. Authorities stated the recovery removed the discrete stainless-steel pickup from the lake without reported injuries.
Social media, marketing and owner behavior
Since the Cybertruck’s public launches, social-media posts and marketing have emphasized rugged capability. Videos showing Cybertrucks in mud, sand and shallow water have circulated widely, and some owners have pushed demonstrations into stunts. This incident exemplifies how informal tests can cross safety boundaries and legal limits, prompting law enforcement to remind the public about responsible behavior.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Public safety & emergency services: Municipal lifeguards and marine units face similar risks when vehicles enter surf zones or waterways. The Grapevine incident reinforces the need for clear rules and coordinated responses between police, lifeguards and marine rescue teams.
Legal & regulatory parallels: California and local ordinances regulate boat ramp access and beach closures; advertised vehicle features do not override those laws. Residents should consult local codes before attempting water maneuvers.
Liability & insurance: Owners who test off-road or water features in public recreational areas may face arrest, fines, and financial exposure for recovery or cleanup; insurance may not cover reckless or unlawful acts.
Community standards & advice: Huntington Beach residents and visitors should follow manufacturer guidance (for example, Tesla’s Cybertruck materials), obey posted closures and avoid entering water when in doubt. Contact local authorities before attempting nonstandard maneuvers in public waterways.
Sources and further reading
- Grapevine Police Department official page and public posts
- FOX 4 Dallas coverage
- Fox News Digital coverage
- Tesla Cybertruck and Wade Mode information
- Huntington Beach city information
Reporting compiled from Grapevine Police Department statements and local media coverage; Times Media Service.
