Incident at Grapevine Lake
A man in north Texas was arrested after he drove a Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake while trying to test its water driving capability. Police said he entered a restricted area of the lake and intentionally drove the vehicle into the water.
The attempt went wrong quickly. The Cybertruck took on water, stopped working, and became stuck near the shoreline. The driver and passengers left the vehicle before emergency crews arrived.
Vehicle Recovery Operation
Police officers were called to Grapevine Lake to respond to the situation. A water rescue team from the local fire department helped recover the partially submerged Cybertruck.
Crews pulled the vehicle out from the south side of the lake close to the shore. Officials confirmed that the operation focused on safety and preventing further environmental or traffic risks in the area.
Driver Statement and Charges
According to police, the driver admitted he entered the lake on purpose to use the Cybertruck wade mode feature. After entering deeper water, the vehicle stopped functioning and began taking on water.
Authorities arrested him for operating a vehicle in a restricted section of the lake and for violations related to water safety rules. Police emphasized that local laws still apply even when a vehicle has off road or water capable features.
What Cybertruck Wade Mode Allows
Tesla designed wade mode to help the Cybertruck move through shallow water for short distances. The system allows limited water driving up to about 32 inches, measured from the bottom of the tires.
Tesla states that drivers must check water depth before entering any body of water. If the water is too deep, the vehicle should not proceed. Damage caused by water is not covered under warranty.
The company also warns against driving in fast moving water, strong currents, or unsafe natural waterways.
Safety and Legal Concerns
Police officials stressed that vehicle capability does not remove legal responsibility. Even if a vehicle can physically enter water, doing so in restricted or unsafe areas can lead to violations.
They also warned that entering lakes or similar areas without permission can create serious safety risks for drivers, passengers, and rescue teams.
Officials added that people should not attempt to test vehicle features in uncontrolled environments like public lakes.
About the Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is an electric pickup built with a stainless steel exterior and designed for durability and off road performance. It launched in 2019 and became available to the public in 2023. Its price starts at around seventy thousand dollars.
