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Driver detained for intentionally entering lake in Cybertruck
Police in Grapevine, Texas, arrested a man on Monday after he deliberately drove his Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to activate the vehicle's "wade mode" feature, authorities said.
Incident details
Officers from the Grapevine Police Department responded to Grapevine Lake in north Texas after receiving reports of an abandoned vehicle partially submerged near the southern shoreline. The driver and passengers had already left the scene when rescuers arrived.
The Grapevine Fire Department's Water Rescue Team assisted police in retrieving the stranded Cybertruck, which had taken on water and become immobilized.
Driver's admission and charges
According to a police statement, the driver admitted he intentionally entered the lake to test the Cybertruck's wade mode. The vehicle subsequently malfunctioned and began flooding.
He now faces charges for operating a vehicle in a restricted section of the lake and violating water safety equipment regulations.
Tesla's wade mode limitations
Tesla's online manual states that wade mode enables the Cybertruck to traverse shallow bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks, with a maximum depth of 81.5 cm (32 inches). The manufacturer specifies that this measurement is taken from the bottom of the tire.
The manual also cautions drivers to assess water depth before entering and warns that damage or water intrusion resulting from such use is not covered under warranty. Tesla further advises against driving in fast-moving water, including strong currents or rapids.
Safety and legal concerns
Grapevine Police spokesperson Katharina Gamboa told CBS News, a BBC partner, that intentionally driving a vehicle into water raises both safety and legal issues under Texas law.
"We wouldn't encourage willingly driving your vehicle into the water. It's a safety concern but it's also a legal concern as well."
Katharina Gamboa, Grapevine Police Department
About the Tesla Cybertruck
Introduced in 2019 and released to the public in 2023, the Cybertruck is an electric pickup constructed from bullet-resistant steel. The vehicle starts at over $70,000 (approximately £52,072).
