In Grapevine, Texas, police say a man deliberately drove a Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake at Katie’s Woods boat ramp to test the vehicle’s “wade mode,” prompting an evening rescue and an arrest by Grapevine officers. Grapevine Fire Department crews removed the truck from the water after the driver and passengers exited safely, and the driver was booked on multiple state and local charges. Grapevine police provided the details to reporters while the investigation and equipment inspections continue.
Officers were called to Katie’s Woods just before 8 p.m. on Monday after reports of a vehicle entering the lake. When patrol units arrived, they found the Cybertruck partially submerged near the shoreline, clearly not there by accident. The driver admitted he had driven into the water to try out the truck’s “wade mode” feature.
The people who were with the driver got out of the vehicle on the shore before first responders arrived, and no one required medical attention at the scene. Grapevine Fire Department’s water rescue team later pulled the Cybertruck from the lake using standard recovery procedures. Officials then turned the matter over to Grapevine police for investigation and potential charges.
Grapevine police arrested the driver and charged him 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. He remained in the Grapevine Jail as of Tuesday afternoon while authorities completed paperwork and evidence collection. Those charges reflect both public-safety rules for parks and specific statutes that apply when vehicles end up in navigable or regulated waters.
“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,” police said in a statement. That exact warning underscores the gap between what some modern trucks can do in controlled demonstrations and what is legal or safe in public waterways. Police are emphasizing that capability does not equal permission.
Grapevine police have not released the driver’s identity, and investigators say it remains unclear what the driver expected to accomplish beyond testing the feature. Officers will review statements, any available video, and recovery reports as they determine whether to recommend additional charges or civil penalties. The department also plans to work with park officials to assess whether signage or enforcement needs to be adjusted at that ramp.
Beyond the legal trouble, the episode raises practical concerns about environmental and rescue risks when passenger vehicles enter lakes. Submerged vehicles can leak fuel or fluids and disturb habitats, and they complicate recovery work for first responders who may need to operate in uneven, slippery conditions. Officials remind boaters and drivers that public safety rules exist to prevent needless calls for rescue and to protect natural resources.
For owners curious about features like “wade mode” or amphibious demonstrations, this incident is a caution: manufacturer claims or internet stunts do not override park rules and state law. Vehicle features intended for controlled environments or limited scenarios can have unintended consequences on public land and water, and local agencies will enforce ordinances meant to keep recreational areas safe. Grapevine police and the Grapevine Fire Department continue to handle the case and expect to share more information if charges are expanded or if formal reports are filed.
