Was the car impounded to a police tow yard? In what city? Sounds like Los Angeles. Yes, that is the fee and there is no way of getting out of it. And, if you leave the car there, they are charging your friend more money every day that the car sits there for storage fees.
So, your friend better get the car out of the impound yard before the fees rack up and they will not be able to afford to get it out.