Does this scenario apply to the work place, and does my employer have any right to interfere with this situation?

This is what happened: A co-worker (empl 1) got into an accident. Another employee (empl 2), who is also a friend of empl 1, went to pick her up at the hospital. He is also going to take her home, and set her up at her house, and then come to work.

Might I add that the accident happened last night, and empl 2 decided to do all of this today instead of coming to work on time.

The office manager is not happy. She is going around to each employee and saying that this is unacceptable because both employees work here and they should be responsible and professional about their jobs. Empl 1 is out because of the accident, which is fine (said the office manager), but now empl 2 is going to miss half the day. The office manager also noted that had the accident happened today, instead of last night, this issue would be more understandable. Empl 1 had all night to find a friend or family member to help her out, but instead she chose to call empl 2 today to help her out.

Is my employer stepping out of bounds on this? Do they have any right to dictate why an employee chooses to be late or not come in? He could have told the office manager that he had car trouble and I don’t think it would have been an issue.