Tesla Cybertruck wade mode incident in Texas lake leads to arrest
Consensus Summary
A Tesla Cybertruck driver in Grapevine, Texas, was arrested after intentionally driving the vehicle into a lake on May 19, 2026, to test its 'wade mode' feature. The truck became disabled and took on water, forcing the driver and passenger to abandon it before authorities recovered it with the help of the Grapevine Fire Department. Police charged the driver with operating in a closed area and water safety violations, citing legal and safety risks despite the vehicle’s advertised wade capabilities. Both sources confirm the incident occurred at Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp, with the Cybertruck’s manual warning drivers about depth limitations and warranty exclusions for water damage. Online footage and photos documented the partially submerged truck, while Tesla’s specifications emphasize slow speeds and driver responsibility for water depth assessment.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A Tesla Cybertruck was recovered from Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp in Grapevine, Texas, after the driver intentionally drove it into the lake to test 'wade mode'
- The driver was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake, as well as water safety equipment violations
- The Cybertruck became disabled and took on water, forcing the driver and passengers to abandon it before calling for help
- 'Wade Mode' allows the Cybertruck to enter and drive through bodies of water up to approximately 32 inches (815 mm) deep at slow speeds (1–3 mph or 2–5 km/h)
- The incident occurred on Monday, May 19, 2026, with police responding around 8 PM local time
- The Grapevine Police Department and Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted in recovering the vehicle
- Tesla’s Cybertruck manual states that damage or water ingress from driving in water is not covered by the warranty
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A picture posted online showed a half-submerged silver Cybertruck near the lake’s shoreline
- The driver stated he intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s 'wade mode' feature (quoted directly from police statement)
- Footage shared online captured the moment the Cybertruck drove into Grapevine Lake, showing the driver and passenger abandoning the vehicle
- The Cybertruck’s cost is mentioned as upwards of $US60,000 ($A84,000)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the incident was announced on Tuesday, May 20, 2026, while Newscomau reports the event occurred on Monday, May 19, 2026, with police responding around 8 PM that night (no direct contradiction, but timeline phrasing differs slightly).
Source Articles
Tesla Cybertruck pulled from Texas lake after attempting ‘wade mode’
Police said the vehicle became disabled and took on water, prompting the driver and passengers to abandon it before calling for help Authorities in Texas have removed a Tesla Cybertruck from a lake after the driver intentionally drove into in an attempt to try the vehicle’s “wade mode.” On Tuesday, the Grapevine police department announced the vehicle’s recovery from Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp, adding that the “driver stated he intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s ‘wade mo
Man arrested after driving Cybertruck into lake
A man has been arrested after police said he intentionally drove his Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test one of the vehicle’s features.