Cybertruck owner charged in Texas after using vehicle's 'Wade Mode' to drive into lake
· Toronto Sun
Cybertrucks are not boats.
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That’s a lesson one man learned in Texas this week after he drove it into a lake, hoping it would drive in water.
Grapevine Police Department said in an update on Facebook that a Cybertruck owner is facing several charges after he purposely drove his vehicle into a lake while using its “Wade Mode” option shortly before 8 p.m. Monday.
Police said officers were called to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp, about 35 kilometres northeast of Dallas, for a Cybertruck in the water and near the shoreline.
“The driver stated he intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s ‘Wade Mode’ feature,” police said. “The vehicle became disabled and took on water.”
Option allows vehicles to drive through shallow water
According to Tesla’s owner manual for the electric vehicle, “Wade Mode allows Cybertruck to enter and drive through bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks.”
However, the company warns owners that it is their responsibility “to gauge the depth of any body of water before entering. Damage or water ingress to Cybertruck as a result of driving in water is not covered by the warranty.”
Tesla says the vehicle can wade in water at a depth of approximately 32 inches or about 80 centimetres, but only at very slow speeds of about 2 to 5 km/h.
The driver and passengers managed to escape the vehicle unharmed before help arrived, police said. The Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team helped tow the vehicle to shore, cops added.
Driver charged with numerous offences
The driver, identified as Jimmy Jack McDaniel, was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake, having no valid boat registration, and numerous water safety equipment violations, reports Fox affiliate KDFW .
“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.