Tesla Cybertruck stuck in a lake: driver arrested after failed “swimming”
Elon Musk once promised that the Tesla Cybertruck would be able to temporarily function as a boat. As with the Roadster 2.0, that time has not yet come, but that didn’t stop one owner who decided to test “Wade Mode” with spectacular failure.
As a result, he not only failed to enjoy his pickup as a boat, but also “failed” the Wade Mode itself. The police, for their part, did not miss the moment for law enforcement.
How it happened
Video published on Instagram shows it all began with a glimpse of success. The driver managed to move in the shallows near the shore of Lake Grapevine. However, he soon drove into deeper water, and the pickup ceased to be a good car, without even having a chance to become a boat.
According to the Grapevine police, “the vehicle malfunctioned and began taking on water. The driver and passengers exited the vehicle, and the Grapevine Fire Department rescue team helped extract it from the lake.”
Video from the scene, published on Instagram, shows the vehicle recovery process.
Consequences for the driver
The police did not specify how much time and effort was required to rescue the pickup. When it entered the water, it was still light, but by the time a tow truck used a crane to pull it from the lake, it was already very dark outside. However, the situation only worsened for the driver.
The driver was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed area of a park or lake, as well as for violating water safety rules. This is a key point. “While a vehicle may be physically capable of driving into shallow freshwater areas, such actions can create legal and safety issues under Texas law,” the police stated.
Be careful. Wade Mode, Water Mode, Crawl Mode — all sound cool, regardless of the vehicle in question. But using them in the wrong place can very quickly turn them into “Arrest Mode.”
It is worth noting that this incident highlights the importance of understanding a vehicle’s real capabilities and the limitations of its off-road modes. Despite manufacturers’ bold claims, features like Wade Mode are designed for crossing shallow water obstacles, not for full-fledged swimming. Furthermore, even if a vehicle is technically capable of entering water, it may be illegal and dangerous, as evidenced by the driver’s arrest. This case serves as a reminder that technology cannot always replace common sense and compliance with local laws.