They probably thought it out, or at least the driver did. If it was an overlook with a place to pull off, I bet the drop off was quite steep with a beautiful view.
Sad for those kids.
Yes, it was, a perfect 100' drop straight to the rocks and the ocean, and there is no railing. It is also a very nice turnoff where there is no challenging curve, unlike most of CA 1 that's loaded with very challenging curves.