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In a peculiar incident, a Texas man found himself in hot water after allegedly driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to test its “Wade Mode” feature. Unfortunately, the experiment took a wrong turn when the vehicle became immobilized and began to take on water.
The Grapevine Police Department reported that officers were dispatched to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp on Monday following alerts of a partially submerged Cybertruck near the lake’s edge.
According to police, the driver claimed he drove the vehicle into the lake on purpose to activate the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode.” This Tesla feature is designed to elevate the vehicle’s ride height and pressurize the battery system, potentially allowing the truck to handle shallow waters and uneven terrain.
However, the plan quickly went awry as the Cybertruck became incapacitated in the water, leaving the driver in a tricky situation.
In related news, tragedy struck when college students were involved in a fatal Cybertruck accident just before Thanksgiving.
A Tesla Cybertruck is seen partially submerged in Grapevine Lake after authorities said the driver intentionally entered the water to test the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. (Grapevine Police Department)
The driver and passengers safely escaped the vehicle before the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team helped remove the truck from the lake, according to police. Police said no injuries were reported.
Photos shared by authorities showed the stainless steel pickup partially submerged at the boat ramp as emergency crews worked to recover it from the water.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was arrested at the scene on charges, including operation of a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake, along with multiple water safety equipment violations, police said.
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A representative for the Grapevine Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
“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,” the Grapevine Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Grapevine Lake is a popular recreation area in the Dallas-Fort Worth region known for boating and fishing.
According to Tesla, ‘Wade Mode’ is designed for shallow water crossings. (Getty Images)
Tesla has heavily marketed the Cybertruck’s rugged off-road capabilities since the vehicle launched in late 2023.
The incident comes as some Cybertruck owners have posted videos online testing the electric pickup’s durability and off-road performance in mud, sand and water crossings.
Tesla says “Wade Mode” is designed for shallow water crossings, but advises drivers to avoid water conditions that exceed the vehicle’s capabilities.